Stranger Things Inspired An Upcoming Sequel That Nobody Thought Would Ever Happen

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Back in 2016, when Netflix unveiled its breakout sci-fi hit “Stranger Things,” it left an indelible mark on the global entertainment landscape. But here’s something truly astonishing – a recent disclosure from a renowned Hollywood director to ComicBook has shed light on an impact so unusual, it’s almost unbelievable. You won’t believe this, but the Netflix series has inadvertently revived a 40-year-old movie franchise that many had written off as extinct!

40 years after making waves in the music industry and beyond with their unique blend of loudness and punctuality, the legendary British band Spinal Tap returns to cinemas on July 5th. Excitingly, there’s more to look forward to from the creators of the classic mockumentary “This is Spinal Tap,” which continues to captivate audiences even four decades since its initial release. The film has garnered critical acclaim and secured a place in both the Library of Congress and National Film Registry. In an interview with Chris Killian from Comicbook, director Rob Reiner shared insights into the upcoming sequel, revealing how the hit series “Stranger Things” influenced its creation.

Initially, the prospect of another “Spinal Tap” film seemed implausible, but according to Reiner, he and co-creators Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, and Michael McKean (all playing members of Spinal Tap) had long been hesitant about making a sequel. For years, they expressed no interest in revisiting the project. However, events such as Shearer suing Sony to regain the film’s rights, the passing of the actor portraying the band’s fictional manager, Tony Hendra, and the renewed popularity of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)” on Stranger Things ignited a spark in Reiner and his collaborators to continue the story of Spinal Tap.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaOIH2qK0qM

As a passionate film buff, I can’t help but appreciate the intrigue behind the storyline of Spinal Tap. The creators had a brilliant idea: since our last encounter with them during their disastrous U.S. tour, the band has been out of sight. They’ve gone their separate ways, and it’s been fifteen years since they’ve played together or even spoken to each other. The tension between them is palpable, a testament to the bad blood that’s festered over the years.

Essentially, Reiner stated that Tony Hendra, who passed away in 2021, had supposedly left a contract to his daughter. This contract stipulated one final concert. However, the question arises – why have this concert? It’s meaningless because they hadn’t performed together for 15 years and were virtually unknown to the public. They were no longer active.

In the hit series “Stranger Things”, recall the memorable moment in Season 4 when Max uses “Running Up That Hill” to protect herself from Venca’s influence. It sparked a renewed interest in this song, as it had already been featured on the show earlier. Reiner explained, “We realized that Kate Bush, had previously lent her music to Stranger Things, and suddenly there was a revival.” The team then considered an intriguing scenario: What if one of their songs became popular again due to a soundcheck video being shared on TikTok? This idea served as the foundation for the plot development in the series.

Despite the criticism about the abundance of sequels, spinoffs, and remakes in today’s media world, the Spinal Tap sequel, grounded in real-life events, seems particularly relevant. It was this concept that convinced Reiner and the other filmmakers to make another Spinal Tap movie; otherwise, they would have chosen to “let it be”.

The remastered, remixed, and 4K version of This is Spinal Tap returns to theaters July 5th.

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2025-06-29 20:12