It’s back behind the camera for Elizabeth Banks. The actress-slash-director (slash producer) is reportedly set to direct Pitch Perfect 3, according to Variety sources.
The franchise’s trio of leading ladies, Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, and Rebel Wilson, had already been locked down, but Banks took longer so that she could considering her options. After directing the enormously successful Pitch Perfect 2 — a movie that grossed twice as much as the popular first installment in the series at $286 million worldwide — Banks has understandably been in demand as a director. Add in her acting commitments, and fans are lucky that she was able to squeeze in the project.
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It’s a little ridiculous just how much Banks is managing to do on both sides of the camera these days. As Variety noted, she is currently attached to direct Universal’s Red Queen as well as Sony’s latest Charlie’s Angels reboot. Additionally, Banks will hit the screen again in the upcoming Hunger Games film, Mockingjay — Part 2, and she appeared in three films over the summer: Love and Mercy, a biopic about The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson; Magic Mike XXL; and Pitch Perfect 2.
The original film in the musical comedy series is based on Mickey Rapkin’s non-fiction book, Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory. Each installment so far has followed the Bellas, an all-female group from the fictional Barden University, as they participate in a capella competitions and get caught up in hilarious hijinks. Banks played a capella commentator Gail in both, as well as serving as a producer.
It’s unclear if the busy actress will reprise her role in Pitch Perfect 3, but we’d be surprised if she didn’t. She’ll also return to produce alongside Gold Circle Entertainment’s Paul Brooks and Brownstone Productions’ Max Handelman. Kay Cannon will write the script.
Pitch Perfect 3 is set to hit theaters on Aug. 4, 2017.
