The world’s loudest and most accident-prone band is officially coming out of retirement. “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” is set to premiere in theaters on September 12, 2025, reuniting the iconic mockumentary crew for what promises to be a gloriously catastrophic farewell. Directed once again by the intrepid (and perhaps foolish) Marty DiBergi, played by Rob Reiner, the film catches up with the legendary heavy metal trio after a 15-year hiatus as they attempt to mount one final concert. The original trio of Michael McKean (David St. Hubbins), Christopher Guest (Nigel Tufnel), and Harry Shearer (Derek Smalls) return, ensuring the same alchemical blend of improvisational genius and hard-rock stupidity that made the original a cult phenomenon.

This long-awaited sequel brings back a host of familiar faces from the band’s tumultuous history, including the formidable publicist Bobbi Flekman (Fran Drescher) and Derek’s longtime partner, Jeanine Pettibone (June Chadwick). They are joined by exciting new additions like John Michael Higgins and Kerry Godliman, who are sure to get tangled in the band’s web of incompetence. In a casting coup that perfectly blurs the line between reality and fiction, music legend Paul McCartney is also set to appear, though his role is shrouded in typical Tap mystery. Get ready for more amplifiers that go to 11, drummers meeting unfortunate fates, and Stonehenge monuments that are tragically undersized.

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues cast names

– Michael McKean as David St. Hubbins

Michael McKean reprises his role as the spiritually-minded, woolly-hat-wearing lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of Spinal Tap, David St. Hubbins. As the “visionary” of the group, David has always navigated the line between profound nonsense and accidental wisdom, often while clashing with his musical soulmate, Nigel. McKean, a master improviser and comedian, co-created the band with Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer for Rob Reiner’s 1984 original film, crafting a performance that is both hilariously vain and oddly endearing. His post-Tap career has been incredibly prolific, featuring standout roles in Better Call Saul (for which he received an Emmy nomination), This Is Spinal Tap, Clue, and Laverne & Shirley.

Returning to the flowing locks and satin robes of David St. Hubbins allows McKean to dive back into one of his most iconic characters. The premise of a reunion tour after 15 years is a rich vein for comedy, exploring how age, faded fame, and old grudges have affected the “deep and thinking man’s” rocker. McKean’s genius lies in playing the absurdity with utter sincerity, and watching David try to reclaim his glory days while possibly embracing new-age fads promises to be a highlight of the film.

– Christopher Guest as Nigel Tufnel

The inimitable Christopher Guest returns as Nigel Tufnel, Spinal Tap’s lead guitarist and resident musical savant, known for his custom guitars, his love of violin music, and his groundbreaking work in designing amplifiers that “go to eleven.” Guest embodies the pure, childlike, and utterly dense passion of a musician who lives entirely in his own world. As the co-architect of the band’s concept, Guest is a pioneer of the mockumentary format, having gone on to direct and star in classics like Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman, and A Mighty Wind. His performance as Nigel is a masterpiece of comedic detail, from his confused facial expressions to his inexplicable musical logic.

Exploring Nigel’s life after a 15-year break from the band is a tantalizing prospect. Has he been inventing new musical equipment? Has he finally composed his symphony in D minor, “the saddest of all keys”? Guest’s ability to find the heart and humanity within the absurdity will be key to the reunion’s emotional core. The dynamic between Nigel and David, a blend of fierce rivalry and unbreakable bond, will undoubtedly be the driving force behind both the comedy and the story of this final tour.

– Harry Shearer as Derek Smalls

Harry Shearer is back as the stoic, mustachioed bassist Derek Smalls, the “lukewarm water” between the “fire and ice” of David and Nigel. Shearer specializes in the deadpan delivery of a man who has seen every conceivable rock and roll disaster and is barely surprised by any of them. Famous for being trapped inside a pod on stage and for his controversial cucumber-in-the-pants incident, Derek is the band’s long-suffering everyman. Beyond Spinal Tap, Shearer is a legendary satirist and the voice of dozens of characters on The Simpsons, including Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, and Principal Skinner.

Shearer’s return as Derek offers the chance to explore what the quiet bassist has been up to for a decade and a half. Perhaps he embarked on a doomed solo career or found a mundane day job, forever haunted by the ghost of rock past. Derek’s weary cynicism will provide the perfect counterbalance to David’s mysticism and Nigel’s oblivious genius, and Shearer’s impeccable timing will ensure that every resigned sigh and sideways glance lands with maximum comedic effect.

– Rob Reiner as Marty DiBergi

Director Rob Reiner steps back in front of the camera to play the documentarian Marty DiBergi, the man who first captured the band’s “smell the glove” tour chaos. Reiner, who also directed the original classic, is the straight man to the band’s insanity, his on-screen persona a mix of genuine curiosity and growing disbelief. His career as a director is legendary, encompassing films like The Princess Bride, Stand By Me, When Harry Met Sally, and A Few Good Men. As an actor, his portrayal of DiBergi is the perfect audience surrogate.

Marty’s decision to reunite with the band after all these years raises immediate questions: Is he seeking closure? Hoping to capture an even bigger disaster? Or does he genuinely believe they have one great show left in them? Reiner’s presence grounds the film in the mockumentary format that made the original so revolutionary and guarantees that the sequel will have the same authentic, documentary-like feel.

– Fran Drescher as Bobbi Flekman

The iconic Fran Drescher reprises her scene-stealing role as the formidable PR powerhouse, Bobbi Flekman, who famously declared the band’s original album cover “sexist.” Drescher, world-renowned for her starring role in The Nanny and her current work as President of SAG-AFTRA, brings a specific, no-nonsense Queens energy that cuts through the band’s nonsense. Her character is a force of nature, and her return suggests that Spinal Tap’s reunion is causing a PR nightmare so severe that only she can handle it.

Drescher’s comedic timing and distinctive voice are instantly recognizable. Bobbi Flekman’s reappearance promises some of the film’s most brutally funny moments as she undoubtedly lays into the band for their latest misguided antics, trying to spin their inevitable disasters into something resembling good press. Her interactions with the band, and potentially with Paul McCartney’s character, will be a highlight.

The Supporting Ensemble:

– John Michael Higgins as [Unnamed Character]

The brilliantly versatile John Michael Higgins joins the cast in an as-yet-unnamed role. Higgins, a veteran of Christopher Guest’s ensemble films (A Mighty Wind, Best in Show) and known for his roles in Pitch Perfect and Arrested Development, is a master of pompous and hilarious characterization. He could play anything from a slick music executive trying to cash in on the reunion to a classical musician horrified by Nigel’s latest composition.

– Kerry Godliman as [Unnamed Character]

The fantastic Kerry Godliman, known for her deadpan delivery in After Life and Derek, is a superb addition to the cast. Her character could be a long-suffering tour manager, a documentary producer working with Marty, or perhaps a family member trying to talk one of the band out of this disastrous idea. Her grounded, often exasperated style is a perfect fit for the world of Spinal Tap.

– June Chadwick as Jeanine Pettibone

June Chadwick returns as Derek Smalls’ beloved, no-nonsense partner, Jeanine Pettibone. Originally introduced as the Yoko Ono-like figure who managed the band for a time, her return adds a wonderful layer of continuity. Her dynamic with Derek—a relationship built on enduring his absurd life—will provide heart and a familiar face from the band’s past.

– Paul McCartney as Himself (or a Character)

The legendary Paul McCartney needs no introduction. His involvement is a stroke of genius, perfectly aligning with the film’s blurring of reality and fiction. Whether he appears as himself, perhaps a celebrity fan or a benefactor, or as a new character entirely, his presence will elevate the film’s authenticity and comedic potential. Imagine Nigel trying to impress his hero or David comparing their spiritual journeys. It’s a cameo that promises to be both surreal and hilarious.