After helping to nurture the first film as a producer, Pitch Perfect’s Elizabeth Banks is going one step further with the sequel. In addition to keeping her production credit and once more stepping in front of the camera in a supporting role, she’ll also be directing **Pitch Perfect 2{
Banks will be back as a capella singing competition commentator Gail, but it’s even more exciting that she’s making her feature directorial debut with the movie.
"Elizabeth originated the idea for Pitch Perfect and was instrumental in making the first film such a huge success,” said Universal Pictures chairman Donna Langley. “She brings an enormous amount of energy and experience to everything she works on and we’re thrilled that she is making her feature directorial debut on Pitch Perfect 2.”
The original found Anna Kendrick as college freshman Beca, who reluctantly signs on to an a capella group. She ends up helping them to win a place in the national a capella finals and makes a few friends along the way. Thanks to hugely positive word of mouth, the movie rook in more than $115 million worldwide, saw its soundtrack go platinum and launched a million YouTube Cups videos. It's also sparked regular "aca-along" screenings and generally become a cult success.
With writer Kay Cannon once more on script duty, The Hollywood Reporter has heard from insiders that Kendrick and scene-stealer Rebel Wilson are likely to return. Banks, meanwhile, while be heard in **The Lego Movie **(out February 14) and is back as Effie Trinkett for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part One, due on November 21.
If you're a Banks fan, you'll enjoy her visit (with sweary Stanley Tucci) to the Empire Pod-booth for Catching Fire...
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