“Spinal Tap II: The End Continues,” a sequel to the 1984 music mockumentary “This Is Spinal Tap,” will rock and roll into theaters this fall.
Bleecker Street has acquired U.S. rights to the rock comedy follow-up and set a theatrical release on Sept. 12. The indie studio, founded by Andrew Karpen in 2014, also landed the rights for the original “This Is Spinal Tap,” which has been newly restored and re-released in theaters over the summer. After returning to theaters, “This Is Spinal Tap” will subsequently land on digital and streaming platforms for the first time in years.
Directed by Rob Reiner, “Spinal Tap II” The End Continues” sees Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer reprising their roles as members of “one of England’s loudest bands.” In the sequel, the fictional heavy metal group reunites after a 15-year hiatus for one final concert. Reiner returns Marty DiBergi, the documentarian who follows them on tour, with music legends like Elton John, Paul McCartney, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood all making cameos.
A newly released teaser sees the band’s signature Marshall guitar amplifier getting turned “up to eleven.” It’s a reference to the first film, in which Spinal Tap’s guitarist Nigel Tufnel (Guest) explains to Marty that the volume on his amp goes up to 11 instead of the standard of zero to 10.
“So happy to be working with the folks at Bleecker Street who are passionate about keeping Tap’s legacy alive and happy to give Marty DiBergi another shot at relevancy,” Reiner said in a statement.
“This Is Spinal Tap” debuted almost 40 years ago and while the film was modestly successful in theaters, it became a cult classic after its VHS release and effectively launched the mockumentary genre. In 2002, it was deemed “culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant” by the Library of Congress and was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry.
“Spinal Tap II” was produced by Reiner, Michele Reiner and Matthew George and financed by Castle Rock Entertainment, the company that Reiner co-founded in 1987. Derrick J. Rossi PhD, Hernan Narea, Jonathan Fuhrman, and Christopher H. Warner served as executive producers on the film.
“We feel privileged for the opportunity to work with Rob Reiner and the brilliant minds behind the original ‘This Is Spinal Tap,’ and to be part of a film that has resonated with so many,” said Bleecker Street’s CEO Andrew Karpen and president Kent Sanderson. “’This Is Spinal Tap’ isn’t just a movie — it’s a cultural touchstone that pioneered the mockumentary genre and left an indelible mark on both film and music. Returning to this world through ‘Spinal Tap II’ is an extraordinary chance to celebrate its legacy while creating something fresh for both new and devoted audiences.”
The deal was brokered by John Burnham of Atlas Artists with Kent Sanderson and Avy Eschenasy of Bleecker Street.
Bleecker Street recently released Mike Leigh’s “Hard Truths” and “The Return,” starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche. The company’s upcoming slate includes “The Wedding Banquet,” a rom-com remake from director Andrew Ahn that stars Lily Gladstone and Bowen Yang; “The Friend,” a drama featuring Naomi Watts and Bill Murray; and thriller “Relay” with Riz Ahmed, Lily James and Sam Worthington.
