Lars Ulrich & Chad Smith Join Cast Of 'This Is Spinal Tap' Sequel

What do Metallica’s Lars Ulrich and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith have in common? They’re both set to join the list of deceased drummers who have played in Spinal Tap.

That’s right; Deadline reports that the two drummers have signed on to appear in the upcoming sequel to the 1984 mockumentary film. They join an impressive roster of already-confirmed musicians making cameos in the new movie, including Paul McCartney, Elton John, Questlove and country music stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.

Deadline also revealed that Canadian singer Paul Shaffer, comedian Brad Williams, and actors John Michael Higgins (We Bought A Zoo, Pitch Perfect), After Life’s Kerry Godliman, and more have joined the cast, with Fran Drescher reprising her role. Details of the new roles are currently under wraps.

At the time of writing, neither Ulrich nor Smith have commented on their appearances in the This Is Spinal Tap sequel. There’s not much more information surrounding the film or a release date, but with the drummers on board, Spinal Tap are nearly ready to go to 11, right?

In a 2016 interview with Rolling Stone, Ulrich referred to This Is Spinal Tap as a “horror film” for bands, telling the publication that “every single functioning band out there has sat and looked at that movie and cringed.” Meanwhile, in 2017, Smith and Dave Grohl teased a collaboration with Spinal Tap’s Derek Smalls.

The new movie is set to land 40 years after the original mockumentary film based on the fictional-turned-actual band Spinal Tap, who reunite for “one final concert”.

Starring original actors and band members Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer, reprising their roles of Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins, and Derek Smalls, respectively, and returning director Rob Reiner will reprise his role of documentarian Martin “Marty” DiBergi.

Hints at a Spinal Tap sequel were reported in May 2022, with Reiner telling Deadline: “I can tell you hardly a day goes by without someone saying, why don’t you do another one?

“For so many years, we said, ‘nah.’ It wasn’t until we came up with the right idea of how to do this. You don’t want to just do it, to do it. You want to honour the first one and push it a little further with the story.”

On the story, Reiner explained: “I’m back playing Marty DiBergi. The band was upset with the first film. They thought I did a hatchet job, and this is a chance to redeem myself. 

“I am such a big fan, and I felt bad they didn’t like what they saw in the first film. When I heard they might get back together, I was a visiting adjunct teacher’s helper at the Ed Wood School of Cinematic Arts. I drop everything to document this final concert.”