The End Continues’ Trailer Features Paul McCartney, Elton John and Questlove

Photo by Kyle Kaplan for Bleecker Street

After three years of mounting anticipation, the trailer for Spinal Tap II: The End Continues has finally arrived. The long-awaited sequel to the legendary 1984 mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap was confirmed back in May 2022, and while a slow rollout of teasers has kept expectations high, today’s trailer from Bleecker Street marks the film’s official first look.

Spinal Tap II follows the final concert for the fractious hair metal outfit of David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel and Derek Smalls, portrayed 41 years later as aging small-time rockers by the original cast of Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer. The starring trio co-wrote the sequel alongside director Rob Reiner, who also reprises his role as filmmaker Martin “Marty” Di Bergi. The band still has not found a steady drummer as their 11th “sneezed himself into oblivion,” the latest in a series of bizarre and unfortunate incidents. In the trailer, Questlove declines an invitation to be the 12th, saying, “I don’t want to die.”

Beyond Questlove, the Spinal Tap II trailer previews guest appearances from Paul McCartney, who praises the band’s songwriting on “Big Bottom,” and Elton John, who rises to join their performance of “Stonehenge.” Other confirmed cast members include Fran Drescher, John Michael Higgins, Chris Addison and Paul Shaffer, with Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Chad Smith and Lars Ulrich rumored for cameo appearances.

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues arrives in theaters on September 12. Watch the trailer below.