The long-awaited sequel to legendary mockumentary “This Is Sequel Tap” is now in production, almost 40 years to the day that the original film was released in March 1984.
The feature is shooting in New Orleans, with Rob Reiner directing and Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer all reprising their iconic roles as the legendary heavy metal band. Reiner will also return as the documentarian Martin “Marty” DiBergi.
The production has also confirmed its cameos, with Questlove and Trisha Yearwood joining the already announced lineup of Elton John, Paul McCartney and Garth Brooks. Reiner first revealed that John, McCartney and Brooks would be appearing during a November podcast interview.
“I recently spoke to Marty DiBergi who said that he was more than happy to take a sabbatical from his position as a visiting Professor’s Assistant at the Ed Wood School of Cinematic Arts to once again document Spinal Tap to ensure their place in the pantheon of Rock and Roll,” Reiner said in a statement.
The plot — conceived by Guest, McKean, Reiner, and Shearer — sees Spinal Tap, England’s loudest and most punctual band, reunite following a 15-year hiatus for one final concert.
The film is being produced by Reiner, Michele Reiner and Matthew George and financed under the Castle Rock Entertainment banner. Christopher H. Warner and Derrick Rossi serve as executive producers.
Considered a cult classic that effectively launched the mockumentary genre, “This Is Spinal Tap” in 2002 was deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the Library of Congress and was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry.