Universal PicturesAca-awesome sequel news: Elizabeth Banks is dishing on Pitch Perfect 2!
E! News caught up with the 40-year-old beauty—who is currently making her directorial debut in the highly anticipated sequel—to chat about the follow-up flick to the 2012 smash hit, spilling on Anna Kendrick's famous "Cups" scene, possible cameos in the film as well as whether there's been any talk of a Pitch Perfect 3.
"It was really an amazing experience," the blond stunner, who is currently promoting her partnership with Doritos as part of the Crash the Super Bowl contest, told E! News of directing the film. "You know, just wearing more hats...and trying to build on the foundation of the first film and trying to give fans something that they will really enjoy and just that people will generally have fun with."
No doubt, audiences enjoyed every minute of the original flick and Banks says she's still touched when fans recreate iconic moments from the movie.
"I'm so thrilled by every video I ever see of kids doing it," she said of Anna Kendrick's viral "Cups" audition. "And we get videos from all around the world. Honestly, I cry every time I see it because it's so amazing to me that we touched so many people with that moment in the movie. And I'm thrilled for Anna and just the whole success of it was just a phenomena unto itself."
So how does she plan to top the movie's most memorable moment?
"I think it was lightning in a bottle," the Hunger Games star explained. "Our expectation is not to replicate that, we just want to make a really authentic original movie with a really fun story about characters that people already love. And if, like in the first film, something gets taken away from it, then wonderful, but we're not setting out to do that."
Of course, we also had to quiz the actress on any cameos in the upcoming flick, considering Anna Camp previously suggested that Taylor Swift should make an appearance (not to mention the singer's BFF Hailee Steinfeld also has a starring role).
"I can confirm that Taylor Swift is not in the film," Banks revealed with a laugh before admitting she didn't want to give any too many details. "There are some really fun characters in this movie. One of the themes of the film is graduating and going out in to the big bad world, so we definitely brought in some grown-ups that the girls would encounter in their adult lives, and that was a lot of fun, to sort of figure out how to talk about what it is to leave this wonderful experience of college and your friends and go out into the world into your own again…that transition in people's lives."
As for any talk of a Pitch Perfect 3?
"Oh goodness, let us just get this out!" the Walk of Shame star said with a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, Banks has partnered with Doritos and is asking fans around the globe to create a Doritos television advertisement for the chance to see it air during the Super Bowl. It's about "giving opportunities to young up-and-comers in this business," she explained. "I've been really fortunate in my career…but I had to start somewhere…this can be somebody's start."
Two ads will air during Super Bowl (one fan-voted, one voted on by panel of judges), with $1 million given to the winner as well as a lif- changing job opportunity at Universal Pictures.
So what is the thesp hoping to see in the winning 30-second spot?
"It's all about creativity, imagination and originality. I think it's about taking something familiar and putting a great twist on it…I'm really looking for energy. The Super Bowl is such a high-energy event, so my only recommendation to people would be to put that energy and passion into your 30-second ad so that everybody pays attention."
The contest begins Sept. 12, so be sure to enter and submit before Nov. 9!