Michael McKean Admits MakingThis Is Spinal Tap40 Years Ago Was 'a Long Chore' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Michael McKean now; Michael McKean (David St. Hubbins), Harry Shearer (Derek Smalls) and Christopher Guest (Nigel Tufnel) in 1984’s ‘This Is Spinal Tap’.Photo:Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty; Pete Cronin/Redferns/Getty

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty; Pete Cronin/Redferns/Getty

Though now considered a cult classic, it turns out thatThis Is Spinal Tapwas not an easy movie to make.

“It was such a struggle to get it done,” he told PEOPLE at the season 2 premiere ofThe Diplomatin New York City, noting that “there weren’t a lot of features like it at the time.”

Harry Shearer, Michael McKean and Christopher Guest.Bonnie Schiffman/Getty Images

Bonnie Schiffman/Getty Images

“What we had was 20 hours of film and we got it down to 85 minutes. It was a long, long chore,” the 77-year-old continued. “But once we started showing it to people and knowing that the audiences who were there for the film really dug it — it was never going to beGhostbusters,Ghostbusterswas that year. It wasn’t going to beSplash, it wasn’t going to be one of the big, big money comedies — but we also knew that the people who liked it would like it very much and would keep it alive.”

And keep it alive they did. In 2022, it was announced that a sequel to the film,Spinal Tap II, would be made, starring much of the original cast,including Fran Drescher.

Annette O’Toole and Michael McKean at the season 2 premiere of ‘The Diplomat. ‘.Dominik Bindl/Getty Images

Dominik Bindl/Getty Images

“If you think those guys were sad when they were young …” McKean teased of what to expect in the sequel, slated to be released next spring. “It’s tragic in the funniest way — hopefully.”

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“I love the show,” McKean shared of theKeri Russell- andRufus Sewell-led political drama, which is now streaming its second season on Netflix.

source: people.com