How ‘The Simpsons’ Revived Spinal Tap After 40 Years

The long-awaited reunion of Spinal Tap is finally happening, thanks to the unexpected support of C. Montgomery Burns.

How ‘The Simpsons’ Revived Spinal Tap After 40 Years

The long-awaited reunion of Spinal Tap is finally happening, thanks to the unexpected support of C. Montgomery Burns.

From Abandonment to Revival

As director Rob Reiner shares, he and his This Is Spinal Tap collaborators Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer had long given up on the idea of creating a sequel to their iconic 1984 mockumentary. However, a series of fortunate events, including the financial backing from one of the stars, has brought them back together for Spinal Tap II: The End Continues. (For context, the band previously reunited for the 1992 concert film The Return of Spinal Tap, which is currently out of print.)

The Journey to a Sequel

Speaking at Collider’s Directors on Directing panel during San Diego Comic-Con, Reiner explained why it took four decades for the “Stonehenge” rockers to return. “We made the [first] film 41 years ago, and people would often say, ‘You’ve got to do a sequel.’ We’d respond, ‘Nah, we’re done. Let’s leave it as is.’ Over the years, however, it gained acceptance into the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry, and [Spinal Tap] performed at Glastonbury, Royal Albert Hall, and Wembley. It felt like the world was embracing it, yet we still hesitated because we didn’t own the rights.”

“Fortunately, Harry Shearer, due to his roles on The Simpsons, had enough funds to reclaim the rights. We got them back a couple of years ago, and then we thought, ‘Now that we have this, what should we do?’”

Crafting a Worthy Comeback

Even after securing the rights, Reiner and his team were determined not to produce a hasty cash grab. They brainstormed ideas that would do justice to their legacy, ultimately arriving at the concept for The End Continues.

“We envisioned a scenario where the band hadn’t played together for 15 years. We thought, ‘What could force them to reunite?’ The storyline introduces the daughter of their late manager, Ian Faith, who inherits a seemingly worthless contract. With the band out of the limelight, she discovers a viral moment during a sound check, leading to their unexpected return to the music scene.”

Star-Studded Cameos and Nostalgia

The trailer, which debuted at Comic-Con before its online release, showcases several special guest appearances, including Paul McCartney and Elton John, who performs “Stonehenge” with the band. Other notable stars like Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood also join the sequel.

Reflections on the Original

Reiner reminisced about the original Spinal Tap shoot, which marked his directorial debut. The cast’s ad-libbed dialogue resulted in a first cut that was four hours long, excluding three hours of interview footage. The finished film became a quintessential satire of rock ‘n’ roll excess, often confusing audiences who believed it was a genuine documentary.

“During our first test screening in Dallas, we received the lowest scores imaginable. There was outright disdain for the film. People questioned why I was making a movie about a band nobody had heard of instead of focusing on The Beatles or The Rolling Stones. I had to explain that it was a satire,” Reiner recalled.

“Despite the initial backlash, audiences eventually embraced Spinal Tap, leading to a cherished memory for me. My father, the legendary Carl Reiner, directed films with Steve Martin, and both of our films were on top 10 lists the same year. That was a unique moment in my life.”

Looking Ahead

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues will be released widely on September 12, with a special IMAX-only screening in select theaters on September 10, followed by a Q&A with Reiner (as Marty DeBergi) interviewing the band members—minus the drummer.