40 Years Later, Spinal Tap Break Down Their New Movie, Confirm They’re “Not Spring Chickens”

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Between the late 1980s and early 1990s, director Rob Reiner enjoyed an impressive run of creating timeless masterpieces across diverse genres. This journey began with his first full-length production, the 1984 mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, which documented the tour of fictional English rock band Spinal Tap in the U.S. Although it didn’t perform well at the box office initially, the film found its audience when it became available for home viewing, and now it is widely regarded as one of the greatest comedies ever produced. Years later, Reiner has teamed up once more with stars Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer for the sequel Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, and they’ve provided entertaining commentary on the new movie.

In a chat with ComicBook, the original members of Spinal Tap – Reiner, McKean, Guest, and Shearer – discussed their reunion after many years. During the interview, David St. Hubbins (portrayed by McKean) humorously addressed the band’s iconic hairstyles when asked about them: “We strive to keep things as they were, but let’s be honest, we’re not what we used to be. We’re not spring chickens anymore… and yet, we still have some hair left!

In simpler terms, Director Marty DiBergi (played by Reiner) shared the reasons behind his interest in the project. He stated, “I hadn’t built much of a reputation at first. For me, it was a chance to make a name as a filmmaker, which I managed briefly when I directed the sequel to Kramer vs. Kramer – Kramer vs. Kramer vs. Godzilla. However, my career took a downturn after that. So, it was incredibly fortunate for me that Spinal Tap came along. You see, I didn’t bring the band back together; they were obliged to reunite because of a contract that [band manager] Ian Faith’s daughter triggered, demanding one more performance.

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues Is Arriving at the Perfect Time

The classic film “This Is Spinal Tap” stands out as one of the finest examples of satire, mercilessly poking fun at the antics of famous rock groups and the idea of rock documentaries in general. This masterpiece was unleashed during what many consider a golden age for parody films. In the 80s, viewers were treated to a steady stream of comedies like “Airplane!”, “The Naked Gun”, “Spaceballs” and others that kept them giggling non-stop. Over time, these types of movies seemed to fall out of favor, but in recent years they’ve been experiencing a resurgence.

Last August, the reboot of “The Naked Gun” featuring Liam Neeson garnered favorable reviews, being praised as a triumphant comeback for theatrical comedy. Not only was it critically acclaimed, but the latest “Naked Gun” also proved to be a commercial hit, raking in close to $100 million globally while being made on a budget of just $42 million. Next year, we can expect “Scary Movie 6” to grace our screens, with its humorous takes on popular modern horror flicks. Given the lack of comedy in recent times, the timing for the return of “Spinal Tap II” seems perfect.

Over the past ten years, we’ve seen a surge in sequels to classic series, often capitalizing on audience affection for iconic properties. This phenomenon isn’t exclusive to big-name franchises like Star Wars or Jurassic Park; it also includes comedies aiming to rekindle the success of their earlier counterparts. The revival of Spinal Tap is a prime example of this trend, with Reiner and his team looking to ride this wave. In fact, the 80’s nostalgia in Stranger Things inspired the idea for Spinal Tap II. It will be intriguing to see if the sequel ranks among the best legacy sequels.

It’s likely that it will succeed. Reiner and his cast demonstrate a clear enthusiasm for the material, and their humor remains sharp after all these years since the initial release. Although the film might not create a massive splash at the box office this autumn, it is expected to garner an audience and build a devoted fanbase much like its 40-year-old predecessor did.

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2025-09-13 01:20