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Tag: Elizabeth Banks

  • “Mockingjay–Part 2” Trumps “In the Heart of the Sea” at Weekend Box Office

    Mockingjay–Part 2, the final installment in The Hunger Games series of films trumped In the Heart of the Sea at the box office this weekend.

    Based on the novel by Suzanne Collins, Mockingjay–Part 2 premiered on November 20, and has spent four weeks at the number one spot. Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, and Elizabeth Banks, this weekend saw earnings of more than $11.3 million. Mockingjay–Part 2 has thus far brought in more than $564 million worldwide.

    In the Heart of the Sea is a Ron Howard production, and stars Chris Hemsworth. It came close to Mockingjay–Part 2, earning $11 million in ticket sales, but not enough to reach that number one spot.

    Liam and Chris Hemsworth are competing against each other for number one box office status. Which of the brothers do you expect will win? Even if In the Heart of the Sea knocks Mockingjay–Part 2 out of the top spot next weekend, it will still have four weeks under its belt in that position–along with loads of money made worldwide.

    Jeff Goldstein is the executive vice president of distribution at Warner Bros. He commented on In the Heart of the Sea’s opening weekend during an interview with the L.A. Times.

    “It’s really a marathon and not a sprint with a film like this,” he said. “When you have an older-skewing audience, like this film, they don’t come out during opening week. You need some time for the audience to hear about it.”

    Variety, however, reports that not even foreign audiences will be able to rescue In the Heart of the Sea. They are calling this debut weekend “disastrous.”

    Have you seen either The Hunger Games: Mockingjay–Part 2 or In the Heart of the Sea?

  • Elizabeth Banks Got Jokes, Takes Jab At Bill Cosby On ‘SNL’

    Elizabeth Banks did a tremendous job on her first Saturday Night Live hosting job. Banks kicked off the November 14 episode with a song and dance number in a glamorous black ball gown and followed it up with three strong sketches for the night: “Black Jeopardy,” “High School Theatre Show,” and “First got Horny 2 U”.

    The Hunger Games star immediately displayed her wit when she poked fun at her extra-frilly attire for the evening, which is quite a departure from the simpler cocktail dresses and pantsuits that most celebrity hosts wear. “I hope I look okay, I just came from the gym,” Banks quipped.

    Soon after she started her monologue, Banks surprised the audience as she took off the lacey Romona Keveza strapless gown to reveal a much sexier black mini dress she wore underneath. With Elizabeth Banks appearing to the show, SNL was able to make up for the critically-dismal Donald Trump episode of last week.

    In “Black Jeopardy” segment, Banks plays Allison, a know-it-all type of girl who is actually quite incapable of giving correct answers. She starred alongside Sasheer Zamata who played Keeley and Jay Pharaoh who played Amir. The three contestants had to answer three categories: “Who Try’Na,” “What Happened Was,” and “I Don’t know You.” The best part was when Elizabeth Banks dropped subtle hints about the Bill Cosby scandal.

    “After everything he did, he try’na act like he don’t owe us an explanation,” she said but the correct answer was “Who is Tom Brady.”

    Watch Elizabeth Banks Star In A Typical High School Theater Show

    The Pitch Perfect actress also played a high school student in the sketch, “High School Theatre Show,” while she channeled her inner ’90s pop band singer in “First Got Horny 2 U.” Elizabeth Banks and the rest of the SNL women – Aidy Bryant, Cecily Strong, Kate McKinnon, and Vanessa Bayer – did a wonderful job in recreating the era of boy bands and girl bands.

  • Elizabeth Banks: SNL Host Makes Up For Trump’s Stint

    Elizabeth Banks hosted Saturday Night Live this past week, seemingly as a reward for the previous week’s hosting job done by Donald Trump.

    It’s hard to believe that comic genius and top-of-her-game Hollywood writer, director, actress, etc, Elizabeth Banks has never hosted SNL before, but it’s true.

    Of course, Elizabeth Banks had no problem fitting right in on the set and turning what could have been a sub-par show into a really great night of comedy.

    Isn’t it just like Effie to walk in and steal the show?

    A few of her sketches could have stood on their own, especially the exceedingly entertaining mini buddy comedy with Mike O’Brien.

    Me + @disclosure + @samsmithworld + @lordemusic on @nbcsnl right now. Well, in 5mins.

    A photo posted by Elizabeth Banks (@elizabethbanks) on

    Of course, the sketch with Elizabeth Banks as a gender ambiguous student in a high school theatre production was a treat.

    While the show started on a sombre note, with Cecily Strong taking the spotlight for a moment to say that we stand with France in solidarity,in both English and French, it quickly lightened up with Elizabeth Banks’ monologue.

    Of course, it wasn’t all for fun and games, even if it seemed to be. Elizabeth Banks was there to promote her highly-anticipated movie, Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 2.

    We're only ONE WEEK away from #MockingjayPart2! Get #MockingjayTickets at the link in my bio.

    A photo posted by Elizabeth Banks (@elizabethbanks) on

    Isn’t Elizabeth Banks a gem?

    Are you excited to see Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket again this weekend? I know I am.

  • Elizabeth Banks To Direct Third ‘Pitch Perfect’ Installment

    Good news Barden Bellas fans! The third installment of the Pitch Perfect series will hit the big screen in 2017 and Elizabeth Banks, who directed the sequel, signed on to direct the third installment of the musical-comedy movie.

    According to the Hollywood Reporter, Banks will work behind the scenes as director with Kay Cannon as scriptwriter.

    Barden Bellas Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson and Brittany Snow will also return to the film. Cineplex and fans of the musical comedy series tweeted their excitement over the news.

    Banks expressed how she feels about being a female director, sexism in Hollywood, and why she wants to be able to direct films in an interview with Katie Couric on Yahoo!, saying “I wanted to use more of myself and my abilities and have more control over the stories I was telling.”

    When asked why there are so few women directing, she said: “Parity in Hollywood is going to require that those in power share a little bit of that power. And that requires a partnership with the men in our industry.”

    When asked about the most badass thing she has ever done she said “Directing a movie as a woman is pretty badass,” encouraging women to direct films as there is currently a small number of female directors in Hollywood.

    Banks debuted as a director for Pitch Perfect 2 which earned $69 million in its first weekend in May. As such, it made the movie the highest grossing debut for a first-time director. It went on to earn $285 million worldwide, while the 2012 Pitch Perfect movie, which was based from Mickey Rapkin’s book Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory, grossed $113 million worldwide.

    Banks will produce the third movie alongside Paul Brooks of Gold Circle Entertainment and Max Handelman of Brownstone Productions.

  • Brie Larson: Will She Replace Emma Stone and Play Billie Jean King in Upcoming Film?

    Brie Larson is reportedly in talks to play the role of tennis legend Billie Jean King in an upcoming film called Battle of the Sexes. Emma Stone was initially cast in the leading role, but had to back out because of a scheduling conflict.

    Steve Carell is set to play Bobby Riggs in the film.

    The story of Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs was a defining event back in 1973, when the 29-year-old number 2 ranked female tennis star rose to the challenge and beat the 55-year-old retired former Wimbledon champion Riggs.

    Brie Larson appears in the recent Amy Schumer film Trainwreck. She also played the role of Rachel for two seasons of Community.

    Battle of the Sexes is just one of three upcoming projects based on the infamous tennis match. The other two are the HBO and Playtone film Proof, starring Elizabeth Banks and Paul Giamatti. Chernin Entertainment and Gary Sanchez’s Match Maker featuring Steve Conrad’s as writer, with Will Ferrell signed on to play Bobby Riggs.

    Billie Jean King is an intricate character. Does Brie Larson have what it takes to portray her accurately?

    And how about her tennis skills? Brie Larson not only must learn about Billie Jean King’s persona, but she needs to be at least a fairly decent tennis player, too.

  • Diane Kruger, Elizabeth Banks Join Venice Film Festival Jury

    Diane Kruger and Elizabeth Banks have joined the list of huge names for the 2015 Venice Film Festival jury.

    The jury will be made up of nine members with Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron serving as president of the jury.

    Diane Kruger is a German-born actress.

    Diane Kruger is best known for her roles as Bridget von Hammersmark in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, Abigail Chase in the National Treasure movies, and Helen in Troy.

    Elizabeth Banks is best known for her role as Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games movies, but has made a move to directing.

    Dog Day Afternoon

    A photo posted by Diane Kruger (@dianekrugerperso) on

    After doing four movies with the cast of The Hunger Games, Banks became rather close with her co-stars.

    During an appearance with Jennifer Lawrence at Comic-Con this year, Banks gave her reasons for trying her hand at directing.

    Guess how many days you have to wait until the new @TheHungerGames: Mockingjay Part 2 trailer comes out?

    A photo posted by Elizabeth Banks (@elizabethbanks) on

    “Not a lot of ladies get to direct movies, and not a lot of ladies get to be in movies and I like to say that even Jennifer Lawrence, who’s the most famous actress in the world, gets not one, but two male costars,” Banks said of leading men Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth.

    She then told Jennifer Lawrence, “You’re a guy’s girl. Like, you basically have a penis. You have a man’s career now!”

    Elizabeth Banks added, “I started producing and directing because I knew I had more to offer an industry that clearly didn’t expect too much from me. Looks and age don’t play any part in directing a movie. It makes for a refreshing change.”

    In her directoral debut Elizabeth Banks took the helm for Pitch Perfect 2, which was a huge success.

    Definitely having a bed hair kind of morning…ugh

    A photo posted by Diane Kruger (@dianekrugerperso) on

    Diane Kruger and Elizabeth Banks will make for an outstanding addition to the jury for the Venice Film Festival. Don’t you think?

  • Elizabeth Banks: Directing Success of ‘Pitch Perfect 2’ Has Whetted Her Appetite For More

    Elizabeth Banks wants more.

    With the success of Pitch Perfect 2, her first foray as a director, Elizabeth Banks said the experience has whetted her appetite for more.

    Elizabeth Banks made her directorial debut with Pitch Perfect 2, which is killing it at the box office and stars Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson and Hailee Steinfeld. Banks produced the first Pitch Perfect with husband Max Handelman.

    “I would love to direct more movies,” Elizabeth Banks said, according to U.K.’s Press Association.

    “It’s really important that more women get involved in directing and in leadership positions in Hollywood, and I’m really excited to be providing an example for my generation of women,” said Elizabeth Banks.

    Because the Hunger Games actress has been involved with Pitch Perfect from the very beginning, Elizabeth Banks says directing the sequel was a “natural” step.

    “It did feel natural, just because I’ve been involved since day one. I think being a part of the first film and being on set every day, that was the best preparation for making this movie,” said Elizabeth Banks.

    “I’m also an actor so I haven’t always had the time in my schedule to direct a feature, but I knew I was going to be making the time to do Pitch Perfect 2 as a producer, no matter what. It just seemed the natural progression to take on the directing duties as well.”

    Elizabeth explained the direction she wanted to take with the Bellas in the sequel.

    “One of my goals was to expand the world that the Bellas are in,” she said. “I wanted to improve upon everything that we’ve accomplished – as well as have the girls looking gorgeous, which they do. We were very protective of this franchise. The first time around, we were this little movie with singing and dancing, so much fun, comedy and heart. And this time we wanted to make sure we maintain that sense of fun and wicked humour – but grow in the musical numbers.”

    Did you see Pitch Perfect 2? What do you think of Elizabeth Banks’ directing debut?

  • Elizabeth Banks Says Possibility Of ‘Pitch Perfect 3’ Depends On The Fans

    Many have been wondering if a Pitch Perfect 3 movie is already in the works, and that’s even before Pitch Perfect 2 hit theaters. For director Elizabeth Banks, that possibility depends on the fans.

    Banks admitted in an interview that “it would be disingenuous to say that no one’s talking about a ‘Pitch Perfect 3,’ the possibility of it.”

    “We are really focused on getting as many butts in seats for this one,” she added. “If fans embrace it, we are going to seriously think about what the continuing journey would look like, but we don’t know what that is yet.”

    If the opening numbers are anything to go by, Pitch Perfect fans are clearly saying that they want another round.

    The sequel to the sleeper hit scored big over the weekend, raking in $70.3 million, putting it way ahead of Mad Max: Fury Road. The Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron flick took in a neat $44.4 million.

    And once you add in the figures from Pitch’s non-US foray plus the soundtrack sales then the movie easily crosses the $100 million mark.

    Not bad for a musical comedy about a cappella groups.

    Aside from directing, Banks also reprised her role for the sequel, with original cast mates Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow and Rebel Wilson still along for the ride.

    Now with the apparent success of Pitch Perfect 2, the buzz about another offering is louder, especially since Wilson, who plays the scene stealing Fat Amy, was quoted as saying she already signed up for a third installment.

    If the next Pitch Perfect project does fall through and Banks returns to direct it, it will go a long way in firmly ensconcing her as a director of note and will greatly aid other female directors as well.

    For despite the pressure that Banks felt while filming the movie, she has shown that she can deliver the goods.

  • Elizabeth Banks Says She Has a Superpower

    Elizabeth Banks Says She Has a Superpower

    Elizabeth Banks says that her relationship with her husband of 12 years started with a less-than-romantic premise.

    “I didn’t meet my husband and think, I’ve met the man I’m going to marry,” she says in the interview. “I was like, He’s cute. I’ll fuck him, because I’m 18 and in college.”

    Well, that’s a start. She wasn’t starry-eyed. But what about now? Are they just stuck together?

    “Really, what happened was I’ve never met anyone that I liked more,” Elizabeth Banks said. “In the early years, did I have crushes or little interests here and there? I know my husband did, and so did I, but we stayed together.”

    But their relationship was not just about hanging in there until they were in their 40s and couldn’t go anywhere else. Elizabeth Banks says there relationship is great on all levels.

    “We have always dreamed about our life together. And we work together every day, and we have a lot of respect for each other on every level. And then there’s love. And then there’s lust. So it’s great,” Banks continued.

    Elizabeth Banks recently directed Pitch Perfect 2. She said it was an opportunity that she could not turn down.

    “Once you get offered a studio job, as a woman, its really hard to say no because they don’t let women do this very often,” she said. “So I knew I needed to embrace it and I couldn’t mess it up. Because if you mess it up, they don’t let you do it again, and you become representative of female directors as a whole. Like, ‘See girls can’t do it.’”

    Even though she is a stunning-looking woman, Elizabeth Banks is also seen as a powerhouse. She credits her comic timing for that power.

    “I find making people laugh to be a really special ability. It’s like having a superpower.”

    “The greatest moment I ever had was when I made John Cleese and Steve Martin laugh at a Vanity Fair Oscar party,” she says. “I’m like, the biggest fan of both of them, and I screwed my courage to the sticking place – that’s Shakespeare – and walked up to them, made some comment. I don’t remember what I said, something charming. They both laughed, and I had a drop the mic moment.”

  • Elizabeth Banks: ‘Pitch Perfect 2’ Director Talks Sex With Hubby

    Elizabeth Banks–director of Pitch Perfect 2, which opened in theaters nationwide this week–talks in a recent interview with Allure about love and sex with her husband, Max Handelman.

    She was just 18 years old when she met Handelman–while they were students at the University of Pennsylvania.

    “I didn’t meet my husband and think, I’ve met the man I’m going to marry,” she says in the interview. “I was like, He’s cute. I’ll f*ck him, because I’m 18 and in college.”

    These days Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman own Brownstone Productions together. And despite the long road from college to now, their love and sex life is still in good shape. She admits it wasn’t necessarily because of a set plan.

    “Really, what happened was I’ve never met anyone that I liked more,” she says. “In the early years, did I have crushes or little interests here and there? I know my husband did, and so did I, but we stayed together.”

    “We have always dreamed about our life together. And we work together every day, and we have a lot of respect for each other on every level. And then there’s love. And then there’s lust. So it’s great,” Elizabeth Banks continued.

    As the director of Pitch Perfect 2, Elizabeth Banks now finds herself in a male-dominated field.

    “Once you get offered a studio job, as a woman, its really hard to say no because they don’t let women do this very often,” she says. “So I knew I needed to embrace it and I couldn’t mess it up. Because if you mess it up, they don’t let you do it again, and you become representative of female directors as a whole. Like, ‘See girls can’t do it.’”

    It sounds like Elizabeth Banks deals with her sex life, her romance, and her business life all with the same mix of determination and free will.

    Fans can expect to see more of her in the director’s chair, too.

    “I find making people laugh to be a really special ability. It’s like having a superpower,” she says, admitting she’ll definitely direct more comedies in the future.

    Will you be checking out Elizabeth Banks in her directorial debut in Pitch Perfect 2?

  • Anna Kendrick and ‘Pitch Perfect 2’ Cast Receive Mixed Reviews

    Anna Kendrick and the rest of the cast of Pitch Perfect 2 have received a mixed bag of reviews. The film opens in theaters nationwide today.

    The Barden Bellas–the a cappella group that sang their way to movie fame in Pitch Perfect–are back for round two. Headlined by returning stars Rebel Wilson and Anna Kendrick, Pitch Perfect 2 is directed by Elizabeth Banks.

    So is their pitch–um, perfect?

    The Los Angeles Times reports that according to most reviews, yes.

    According to their reviewer Betsey Sharkey, “the comedy choir wars are more intense, more absurd and more low-brow fun than ever in Pitch Perfect 2. It is almost impossible not to be amused by the cutthroat world of competitive a cappella.”

    Anna Kendrick “continues to prove her comic and singing chops,” Wilson’s schtick is “still funny–for now,” and newcomer Hailee Steinfeld “proves a very good addition to the chorus line…freshening up a fairly predictable plot,” Starkey writes.

    Entertainment Weekly only gives it a B+ and reports that it “sometimes feels less like a movie than a two-hour episode of Glee ghostwritten by Amy Schumer; jokes fly like they’re being shot from T-shirt guns at a gonzo pep rally, and not all of them stick the landing.”

    EW’s Leah Greenblatt adds that “the story also gives big, joyful voice to groups whose members have spent their whole lives being targeted because of who they are, be it black, gay, overweight, female, or just deeply uncool. Now–to quote Beyonce, a patron saint of ‘Pitch’ery–they run this mother.”

    NPR wasn’t a fan, but had no problem with Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, and Brittany Snow in its review.

    “The effortless charms of Kendrick, Wilson and top-notch bit players like Brittany Snow and Adam DeVine now play second fiddle to so much shock humor and extended celebrity cameos that a Saturday Night Live parody would feel redundant. Pitch Perfect 2 is singing a completely different tune from the 2012 original. And the notes are feeling a bit overproduced.”

    Do you have plans to check out Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, and the rest of the Barden Bellas in Pitch Perfect 2 this weekend?

  • Elizabeth Banks Disses Tara Reid, She Gets A Response

    Tara Reid took the high road and came out a bit classier than Elizabeth Banks this time around.

    The Sharknado actress was not-so subtly dissed by Banks in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter.

    During the interview, the Hunger Games actress was asked about her early days in Hollywood. And while discussing how hard Hollywood can be to actresses once they reach a certain age, the new director took a surprising swipe at Reid.

    “There was a group of us girls coming up,” Banks recounted. “A lot of us are surviving. Some of us are not. I used to go to auditions with Tara Reid. So, you know, we didn’t all make it. We’re not all still here.”

    The 41-year-old then added for good measure “but I loved Sharknado.”

    Reid admittedly used to be more known than Banks when she appeared in the American Pie series. She was also seen in TV shows like Scrubs but for the past few years, the 39-year-old actress has been more known for her partying, straight to DVD releases and for the campy Sharknado movies.

    On the other hand, Banks’ star is rising. The actress has been seen in popular movies like the Hunger Games and The Lego Movie.

    However, the swipe against Reid in the interview was surprising and puzzling as it came out of nowhere.

    But to Reid’s credit, she didn’t rise to the provocation and opted to take the high road.

    When asked by gossip website TMZ about Banks’ comments, Reid replied that “I’ve always been a fan of [Banks’] work and that’s sad to hear she said those things about me.

    The Sharknado 3 star also added that if she does run into her erstwhile contemporary, she would still “smile and say, hi.”

    Good job there, Reid! Banks should be feeling like a right jerk by now.

  • Elizabeth Banks Takes Dig At Tara Reid, Reid Takes The High Road

    Elizabeth Banks is never one to shy away from the cold, hard truth.

    And it’s that kind of attitude that led Elizabeth Banks to say some pretty disparaging, but true, things about one of the ladies she began her Hollywood career with.

    Elizabeth Banks began at the bottom with bit parts in movies and television, and has now made her way into a very small circle of women who have directed hit films in Hollywood.

    While Elizabeth Banks was at the bottom, she shared auditions with a young and vibrant Tara Reid.

    In an interview for The Hollywood Reporter, Elizabeth Banks was talking about how life in Hollywood is hard for actresses that reach a certain age when she dropped this little jewel, saying, “There was a group of us girls coming up. A lot of us are surviving. Some of us are not. I used to go to auditions with Tara Reid. So, you know, we didn’t all make it. We’re not all still here.”

    Thanks Roma, Paris, Berlin and London! #PitchPerfect2 watch @rebelwilson on @theGNshow tonight!

    A photo posted by Elizabeth Banks (@elizabethbanks) on

    But Elizabeth Banks quickly added, “I do love Sharknado.”

    That’s harsh. And true.

    However, despite the hard truth thrust in her face by Elizabeth Banks, Tara Reid has taken the high road.

    She said, “I’ve always been a fan of her work and that’s sad to hear she said those things about me.”

    She went on to say that if she met Elizabeth Banks on the street she would still “smile and say, ‘Hi.’”

    Aw, poor Tara Reid. I wonder if an apology is coming soon from Elizabeth Banks? That must make her feel like a little bit of a jerk.

    Nothing better then spending St Pattys day with @planetjedward and @ianziering

    A photo posted by Tara Reid (@tarareid) on

    However, I don’t really see Elizabeth Banks as the apologetic type.

    What do you think?

  • Tara Reid Majorly Dissed by Elizabeth Banks

    Tara Reid was dissed in a big way by Pitch Perfect 2 director Elizabeth Banks during a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter earlier this week. And while it wasn’t the nicest thing for the Hunger Games star to say–she did so without missing a beat.

    Banks was talking about catching her big break, back in her early days of acting. The 41-year-clearly caught it, and is now making her foray into directing, too.

    “There was a group of us girls coming up,” Banks told The Hollywood Reporter. “A lot of us are surviving. Some of us are not. I used to go to auditions with Tara Reid. So, you know, we didn’t all make it. We’re not all still here.”

    Then she topped off her Tara Reid diss with, “I do love Sharknado.”

    Ouch.

    And ouch again.

    Tara Reid is about to star in Sharknado 3, where another actress who never hit it big like Elizabeth Banks, is set to play her mother. Bo Derek of 10 fame–and only 10 fame–is now destined to end her acting days in a Sharknado movie.

    On the upside, Tara Reid just learned the ‘art of doing a cameo’ in a class with Stan Lee. Might that thrust her into the ranks of actors like Elizabeth Banks?

    A photo posted by Tara Reid (@tarareid) on

    Tara Reid hasn’t yet publicly commented on Elizabeth Banks’s diss. It’s pretty unlikely that she will. After all, what could she possibly say aside from the fact that the comment was rude?

    It was, sadly, spot on.

    Are you a Tara Reid fan? Will you be catching Sharknado 3 this summer? Or are you more inclined to check out Elizabeth Banks in her directorial role when Pitch Perfect 2 hits theaters next month?

  • Elizabeth Banks On Hollywood Success and Tara Reid: ‘Some of Us Are Surviving. Some of Us Are Not’

    Elizabeth Banks shared her thoughts on longevity and, in the process, sorta, kinda dissed Tara Reid.

    Elizabeth Banks talked about her career with The Hollywood Reporter recently and said her successful career is only dreamed about for many aspiring actresses.

    Acknowledging how hard it is for actresses once they reach a certain age, she said it’s just as difficult in those early days because the competition is just so great.

    “There was a group of us girls coming up. A lot of us are surviving. Some of us are not,” Elizabeth Banks, who has added director to her resume for Pitch Perfect 2, told the magazine bluntly. “I used to go to auditions with Tara Reid. So, you know, we didn’t all make it. We’re not all still here.”

    “[But]I do love Sharknado,” she added, perhaps to soften the blow.

    Elizabeth Banks attributes her success, in part, to her insatiable need to learn and grow.

    “I don’t stay in my trailer,” she shared. “I like to sit in video village, probably to the annoyance of some producers and directors, because they really love to talk about actors and they can’t in front of me.”

    Elizabeth Banks feels she has a lot riding on her directorial debut with the Pitch Perfect sequel.

    “The list of women who get to make studio-level films is very short,” she said. “And I’m not quite in that club yet. Until this movie comes out, then we’ll see. This shoot is the test. I like to get A’s.”

    Do you think Elizabeth Banks went to far in her comments about Tara Reid?

  • Elizabeth Banks, John Cusack in Trailer for Brian Wilson Biopic, ‘Love & Mercy’

    Elizabeth Banks and John Cusack appear in a new trailer for the upcoming Brian Wilson biopic. Called Love & Mercy, the film is about the lead singer and co-founder of The Beach Boys as he clashes with his controversial psychiatrist while struggling with deteriorating mental health.

    People reports that the biopic ‘interweaves the prime of Wilson’s career in the 1960s with the aftereffects of well-known his drug use and mental illness in the 1980s.’ It stars Paul Dano as Wilson in his youth, and John Cusack as him in later years.

    Love & Mercy is directed by Bill Pohlad. The story line begins when Brian Wilson is first starting out in the recording studio. He was at that time working on music that eventually became The Beach Boys’ album ‘Pet Sounds.’

    In later years, Brian Wilson’s relationship with his girlfriend and eventual wife, Melinda Ledbetter (played in the biopic by Elizabeth Banks) is seen as a real threat by his psychiatrist, Dr. Eugene Landy. Landy is played by Paul Giamatti. The psychiatrist exploited Wilson, controlled the singer’s life, and even tried to end his relationship with Melinda Ledbetter.

    Brian Wilson, who is now 72, founded The Beach Boys back in 1961 with his brothers Dennis and Carl Wilson, in addition to his cousin Mike Love and his friend Al Jardine. The Beach Boys are known for hit songs including “Good Vibrations,” and “I Get Around,” both of which were recorded prior to Brian Wilson’s nervous breakdown that led to him leaving the band.

    Will you be checking out John Cusack and Elizabeth Banks in Love & Mercy? It is set to premiere in theaters on June 5th.

    Do you see Brian Wilson and Melinda Ledbetter in John Cusack and Elizabeth Banks’s portrayal in the film’s first trailer?

  • Anna Kendrick and Her ‘Pitch Perfect 2’ Bellas Take Their Riff-Off Global [Watch]

    Anna Kendrick and her “Barden Bellas” take their riff-off competition global in Pitch Perfect 2.

    In the exclusive clip from the sequel to Pitch Perfect, Anna Kendrick and the girls face off with singing groups from all over the world.

    The 2015 MTV Movie Awards Sunday at the Los Angeles Nokia Theatre was the scene for the world premiere of the minute-long clip. All our favorite Bella members, including Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp, and Brittany Show, presented the exclusive teaser of their upcoming film, and were joined by Pitch Perfect 2 newcomer Hailee Steinfeld.

    The original Pitch Perfect movie features Anna Kendrick as a freshman at Barden University. The quirky girl, who wants to do anything but become what her parents expect, lives and breathes music in her soul. After a fortuitous encounter in a communal shower, she is discovered and becomes a member of the a cappella singing group.

    The first film featured a heated riff-off amongst the a cappella groups on campus. As a reminder, a riff-off is an impromptu competition for a cappella groups, who try to out-sing each other in a randomly selected genre of music. In the clip, the global riff-off kicks off with MC David Cross calling in the contestants for the face-off portion. The Bellas and a German singing group head to the center of the floor and wait to hear the chosen genre.

    The final category of the competition is “90s Hip Hop Jamz,” which both groups greet with confidence and excitement. The German group gets the first round and sings Montell Jordan’s “This is How We Do It,” which was countered by Anna Kendrick and the Bellas, who took on Lauryn Hill 90s hit, “That Thing” with gusto. The German team breaks in with Bell Biv Devoe’s “Poison,” which was quickly responded to by The Bellas with A Tribe Called Quest’s single, “Scenario.”

    Pitch Perfect 2 stars Anna Kendrick and is directed by Elizabeth Banks. Release is scheduled for May 15.

  • Elizabeth Banks Dishes on Sons and Tries to Hook Them Up With Jimmy Fallon’s Daughters

    Elizabeth Banks paid a visit to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Friday and couldn’t stop gushing about her sons, Felix, four, and tow-year-old Magnus Mitchell. But who can blame her?

    Elizabeth Banks, 41, said that when she’s not out promoting Pitch Perfect 2 or the upcoming Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2, she is spending every waking moment with her boys.

    “They are really great friends,” said Banks, who is partnering with American Greetings’s ThankList campaign. “I’m really close with my siblings, and my husband [Max Handelman] and I wanted to have our children close together for that reason.”

    She continues, “The fact that they’re so loving toward each other and such good little friends is what makes my life.”

    Elizabeth Banks also remarked that the experience of motherhood has changed her views about her own mom.

    “I think we take for granted a lot of gratitude in our lives like, ‘Oh, my mother knows that I thank her.’ I guarantee your mother cannot hear it enough. No mom can hear ‘Thank you’ enough. I am a mom, and no mom can hear it enough,” she said.

    Sounds like Elizabeth Banks would like to pre-arrange her boys’ marriages already — to Jimmy Fallon’s daughters, Winnie, 18 months, and three-month-old Frances.

    “So I’m hoping someday they’re going to get married to your girls,” she told Jimmy Fallon. “We’ll be one big happy family. It’ll be great. I promise they’re like really nice guys.”

    See my 1st time chatting w Jimmy tonight! #FallonTonight

    A photo posted by Elizabeth Banks (@elizabethbanks) on

  • Elizabeth Banks Wants Her Sons To Marry Jimmy Fallon’s Daughters

    Elizabeth Banks paid Jimmy Fallon a visit on Tuesday night’s Tonight Show.

    It seemed Elizabeth Banks’ purpose, aside from a bit of promotion for Pitch Perfect 2, was to arrange marriages for her two boys, Felix, two and a half, and Magnus, four.

    Jimmy Fallon, who has daughters Winnie, one and a half, and Frances, three months, seemed on board with Elizabeth Banks’ idea.

    Elizabeth Banks said of her sons, “So I’m hoping someday they’re going to get married to your girls. We’ll be one big happy family. It’ll be great. I promise they’re like really nice guys.”

    Of course Elizabeth Banks says her sons are nice guys. Aren’t they all nice guys at that age?

    See my 1st time chatting w Jimmy tonight! #FallonTonight

    A photo posted by Elizabeth Banks (@elizabethbanks) on

    Elizabeth Banks also told a hilarious story about what it’s like to FaceTime with them while she is away.

    “So I’m FaceTiming them. It’s awesome. I mean, first of all, that FaceTime exists is amazing. I basically don’t even need to go home. I could just parent from here,” Elizabeth Banks said.

    congrats JM, so classy.

    A photo posted by Elizabeth Banks (@elizabethbanks) on

    She continued, “I feel like the past couple of days, whenever I FaceTime, this is the first thing that I hear … ‘Mommy, we’re naked!’ And here’s the thing: I can see that they’re naked. It’s FaceTime. Like, ‘Oh, yeah, there you are. What happened to your clothes?’ They just love it.”

    Elizabeth Banks went on to explain that the boys had jumped into a river before one particular naked FaceTime session. She said that they were in their car seats on the way home, naked and eating Cheddar Bunnies.

    Franny Fallon wishes you a happy Tuesday!

    A photo posted by Jimmy Fallon (@jimmyfallon) on

    However, when Elizabeth Banks finds out that Fallon’s daughter Winnie doesn’t pronouce Elmo the correct way, she quips, “She’s going to have to get a little smarter if she wants to marry my son.”

    I heard 2014 is gonna be even more fun than 2013. #HappyNewYear #BabyNewYear

    A photo posted by Jimmy Fallon (@jimmyfallon) on

    So, maybe the deal is off for Elizabeth Banks’ dream wedding.

    What did you think of Elizabeth Banks’ interview with Jimmy Fallon?

  • Elizabeth Banks On How Nice Jennifer Garner Was During Food Service Days

    Elizabeth Banks and Jennifer Garner once worked at the same restaurant on the Upper West Side before they hit it big in showbiz, and Banks says that Garner was such a kind person that even though she didn’t know her well, she knew of her thanks to her reputation for being nice.

    “Jennifer Garner, it turns out, was so f—ing nice, that literally, I didn’t even know her, but I knew of her. Everyone was like, ‘Did you hear about the hostess who got that f—ing awesome TV show Alias, and we were like, ‘F—! Yeah she’s cool! She’s so f—ing nice! She deserves that gig! She deserves! She’s cool!” Banks said at the Elle Women In Hollywood celebration earlier this week.

    Garner was a hostess when she landed the Alias role, while Banks worked as a waitress. The Pitch Perfect star paid tribute to the actress during the event, saying that Garner’s success inspired her to keep going in what many actors will say is a tough business.

    “I might not always be a waitress! It might work out!” Banks told herself at the time.

    Banks, whose credits include The 40-Year Old Virgin, Kevin Smith’s Zack And Miri Make A Porno, and The Hunger Games franchise, says it’s definitely not easy to be a female in Hollywood and that’s why she’s grateful for the encouragement she’s been offered from other actresses.

    “I want to call a little bit of bulls–t on being a woman in Hollywood. Like, I think it’s really hard actually to be a woman in Hollywood. I think it requires a lot of encouragement along the way,” she said.

    Jennifer Lawrence was on hand during the evening to honor Banks herself, calling her “gifted”.

    “I have had the pleasure of working with this gifted actress for the past few years on the unfortunate box office flop, The Hunger Games,” the 24-year-old actress quipped. “I constantly marvel at the versatility of Elizabeth. She’s a chameleon escaping into every role she plays. Whatever the movie, her performances are always honest and heartfelt. As audience members, we know the women she plays are very real and that’s why directors want to constantly work with her.”

  • Elizabeth Banks Dishes on Past, Present and Future Endeavors

    Elizabeth Banks has a lot on her plate these days as an actress, director and mother, but says there are still more challenges ahead that she’d like to tackle.

    Reflecting on her time playing “Effie” in The Hunger Games, Banks said being a part of the franchise was a wonderful experience and she “cherished” her character. However, the last day of shooting proved to be a difficult one for the 40-year-old actress.

    “It was a sad day and I wrapped on a day when no one else did,” she told ABC News. “It was really sort of lonely and depressing.”

    Since that final day on the set, Banks has moved on to a variety of projects.

    One particular project that might not be a huge stretch for the actress is as a judge for a Frito-Lay Super Bowl commercial contest. After all, she plays the judge of an a cappella competition in her film Pitch Perfect and the upcoming Pitch Perfect 2.

    As a Frito-Lay judge, Banks will help determine which filmmaker is the winner of a commercial created for Doritos. It’s a big responsibility since the winner will win a “dream job” with Universal, the studio behind Pitch Perfect 2.

    “Everybody has to start somewhere in this business and what I really love about this contest is that they’re gonna really give somebody their start in the entertainment industry,” she said. “I just felt like it was a really amazing opportunity to be supportive of young filmmakers … who want to submit their material and get seen by industry professionals.”

    Pitch Perfect 2 offers the actress an amazing opportunity of her own — to try her hand at directing.

    “It’s a big responsibility, but I was really excited to take it on and try to do it confidently,” she told ABC News. “[The original] was lightning in a bottle and it was such a surprise to see how the movie was received. The whole ‘Cups’ phenomenon was a surprise to all of us. It came from the authenticity of the movie, and this time around we were really aiming to do that again and be pure in our intention to tell more of the story of these characters that people have fallen in love with.”

    There is still one challenge the versatile actress hopes to tackle in the future — a challenge that will please her sons, Felix, three, and Magnus, one.

    “I need to get on Sesame Street,” she said. “They’ll be my biggest fans!”