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Tag: Elizabeth Banks

  • Elizabeth Banks Talks About Her Directorial Debut

    Elizabeth Banks has had quite a bit of success onscreen, but now she’s trying a different role: one behind the camera, for Pitch Perfect 2. The 40-year old actress spoke recently about what it was like to step behind the scenes for such a highly-anticipated follow up on her first directorial job and said she doesn’t expect to replicate the first movie.

    “It was really an amazing experience. 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,” she said. “I think it was lightning in a bottle. 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,” she told E! News.

    Banks also talked a bit about one of the many projects she’s doing, which will help one lucky filmmaker get their work seen via an unlikely source: a Super Bowl commercial. The actress/director will help judge a contest sponsored by Doritos, and the winner will receive the job of their dreams at Universal.

    “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. 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,” she told ABC News.

  • Katey Sagal Joins Cast of ‘Pitch Perfect 2’

    Katey Sagal has officially signed on to the cast of the upcoming Pitch Perfect 2. That shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who has ever heard her sing in her role as Gemma Taylor on Sons of Anarchy. Katey is an accomplished singer who is presently on the road performing at various venues in her effort to promote her latest CD Covered. She will no doubt add both of her abundant talents to the new film.

    In Pitch Perfect 2, Sagal will play the role of Hailee Steinfeld’s mother. Hailee is a newcomer to the Pitch Perfect cast as well. Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, and Brittany Snow are among those reprising their roles for the new film. The movie is in pre-production and is expected to arrive in theaters in May of 2015. Elizabeth Banks has made the leap from actress to director as she takes the helm for this highly anticipated production. She is known for several film roles including The Hunger Games and Walk of Shame.

    “Elizabeth originated the idea for Pitch Perfect and was instrumental in making the first film such a huge success,” Universal Pictures chairman Donna Langley said during a recent interview. “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.”

    Depending on the kind of mother Katey Sagal plays in Pitch Perfect 2, it might be a far cry from her Sons of Anarchy persona. Will her TV show fans follow her to the big screen–and then back to TV again?

    Are you a Pitch Perfect fan? Are you among those counting the months until Pitch Perfect 2 arrives at a theater in your city?

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Anna Kendrick Looks Towards ‘Pitch Perfect 2’

    Fans of Pitch Perfect are pumped that Anna Kendrick is returning to reprise her role as Beca, the leader of the a cappella singing group, the Barden Bellas. Kenrick is just as pumped and doesn’t even seem to care about the plot.

    “I’m very excited!” said Kendrick. “I mean I’ve signed on with no script, so you know, if it becomes about parasailing instead of singing, don’t blame me!”

    The 28-year-old actress recently revealed her ideas of what fans might expect from the sequel.

    “I can see it picking up in the year 3000 when we’re all cryogenically frozen,” she joked. “And our voices are digital and we’re breaking the sound barrier.”

    Rebel Wilson and Elizabeth Banks will also reprise their roles in the sequel. Banks, who produced the first film which grossed $115 on a $15 million budget, has also signed on to direct the movie.

    “I’m really excited to direct the girls,” Banks said in an interview with The Huffington Post. “The whole project speaks so much to me and to women and to making women funny in really fun and interesting ways and that’s what I’m most looking forward to. I’m looking forward to letting the girls let loose.”

    “[Banks] 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,” said Universal Pictures chair Donna Langley.

    Banks revealed a few details about the script in the interview with The Huffington Post.

    “All I can say right now is that they will be graduating seniors this time around, rather than incoming freshmen.”

    Universal Pictures and Gold Circle Films say the film is slated to be released May 15, 2015.

    Do you think there will be another hit like “Cups” in the sequel?

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Elizabeth Banks On Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Death

    If you haven’t heard, another untimely death occurred this past weekend, and fans and co-stars are morning him deeply. Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead in his New York apartment on Sunday. While the cause of his death was previously unknown, it has since been confirmed that Hoffman died of an apparent heroin overdose.

    The 46-year-old Oscar-winning actor’s most recent project was the third installment of the Hunger Games trilogy Mockingjay . Mockingjay was shot in two parts, the first to be released later this year. While the first part was complete, it was reported that Hoffman still had several scenes left to shoot in the second part, including one very emotional scene. The studio revealed, that while Hoffman’s death is a set back and they are horribly saddened by his death, production on part two will continue.

    The entire cast of the Hunger Games released a statement offering their condolences to Hoffman’s family and talking about what a wonderful actor Hoffman was.

    “Words cannot convey the devastating loss we are all feeling right now,” the statement reads. “Philip was a wonderful person and an exceptional talent, and our hearts are breaking. Our deepest thoughts and condolences go out to his family.”

    A Lionsgate spokesperson also released a statement regarding Hoffman’s death. “Philip Seymour Hoffman was a singular talent and one of the most gifted actors of our generation. We’re very fortunate that he graced our Hunger Games family,” the film studio’s statement read. “Losing him in his prime is a tragedy, and we send our deepest condolences to Philip’s family.”

    Now, Hoffman’s co-star Elizabeth Banks has opened up about Hoffman’s death, and says she is still in shock. “I’m still processing it,” Banks explained. “I really am in shock. He is an absolutely amazing actor, respected by everyone and part of our family at The Hunger Games. We will miss him terribly, and obviously, we’re really upset for his children and his partner,” Banks continued. “It’s just a tragedy.”

    Hoffman is survived by his longtime partner Mimi O’Donnell and their three children Cooper, Tallulah and Willa.

    Image via YouTube

  • Elizabeth Banks To Direct “Pitch Perfect 2”

    Elizabeth Banks To Direct “Pitch Perfect 2”

    “Pitch Perfect” was one of the breakout hits of 2012, grossing over $115 million with just a $17 million budget. The film, about a college freshman who joins a female a cappella group and helps lead them to success, was popular among young people and adults alike, with the soundtrack going platinum and star Anna Kendrick showing off her percussion skills on a cup.

    With the film’s success comes an inevitable sequel, and fans of the original are excited to learn that Elizabeth Banks, who co-starred in and produced the first film, will be directing. It will be her feature film directorial debut.

    “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 film will be written by Kay Kannon, who also wrote the first one. Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson are expected to reprise their roles.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • “Pitch Perfect 2” Directed by Elizabeth Banks

    Hunger Games actress Elizabeth Banks will soon have to add the title of director to her resume. Apparently she will be directing the much-anticipated Pitch Perfect 2, the sequel to the 2012 comedy about hilarious singing competitions and even funnier competitors.

    Banks played the female judge for the singing competition in that movie.

    “Elizabeth originated the idea for Pitch Perfect and was instrumental in making the first film such a huge success,” said Universal Pictures chair 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.”

    Rebel Wilson and Anna Kendrick haven’t signed on for the second movie, but I’m sure they’ll be singing high notes once they find out that Banks is directing.

    Image Via YouTube

  • Elizabeth Banks Celebrates LEGOLAND Tree Lighting

    Elizabeth Banks, star of The LEGO Movie, helped Santa Claus light the world’s largest LEGO Christmas tree at LEGOLAND in California on Thursday. The resort, located in Carlsbad, California, hosted its 11th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, which draws a wealth of visitors each Christmas season. Banks plays the role of Wyldstyle in the upcoming film, which is scheduled to open in theaters on February 7th.

    In addition to The LEGO Movie, Elizabeth Banks currently stars in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. The pretty blonde actress and mom of two plays the role of Effie Trinket in this box office blockbuster.

    11,000 lights illuminate the enormous LEGO tree Banks helped light. At 30-feet tall, both Banks and Santa worked in unison to pull the giant switch to light it up.

    Elizabeth Banks and that brightly lit tree had Twitter enthusiasts talking–both before and after the exciting tree lighting ceremony.

    It will be interesting to learn what type of character Wyldstyle is when The LEGO Movie hits theaters this coming February. Certainly a far cry from the part Elizabeth Banks plays in Catching Fire–she definitely runs the gamut when it comes to her film roles. She no doubt has a huge following, as seen by the crowd at LEGOLAND in California this week. After all, not everyone was there to see a giant LEGO Christmas tree–some had to have come for the beautiful girl.

    Image via Facebook

  • “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” Lights Up The Box Office With Huge Weekend

    It is no surprise to see which film came out on top of the box office this week with such a popular film like The Hunger Games: Catching Fire being released. After a wildly successful weekend, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire broke the November record for an opening weekend at the box office.

    The Hunger Games: Catching Fire opened with great success, earning a total of $161.1 million. It easily beat out the opening of the first film, The Hunger Games, which made $152.5 million in its debut.

    This film is the second in The Hunger Games trilogy, a series of young adult novels that were written by Suzanne Collins, and gained a great deal of popularity in the past few years, especially upon the announcement of the release of the first film.

    Only three films have ever enjoyed more success on an opening weekend than The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has already, while this also does not include the sales of the majority of Sunday’s showings.

    Those three films were The Avengers, Iron Man 3, and Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows. Many people thought that The Hunger Games: Catching Fire would be able to surpass Iron Man 3, but that film had the advantage of being released in 3-D, and was simply too hard to beat.

    The Hunger Games trilogy stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen. It also has an ensemble cast that has gained a lot of attention including Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth in two biggest roles. Also present are Woody Harrelson, Jena Malone, Elizabeth Banks, Donald Sutherland, and more.

    The huge popularity of The Hunger Games series has even sparked enough attention for people to think about building a Hunger Games theme park, which could be built in the near future for those really big fans that want to see everything that they witnessed in the films in person. As some people know, this was already done for Harry Potter, with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida.

    The Hunger Games: Catching Fire proved to have virtually no competition, as the second place earner at the box office, Thor: The Dark World made only $14.1 million, with third place being The Best Man Holiday, which made $12.5 million.

    On any weekend that a top film like The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is released, it seems virtually impossible for another film in the theater to even come close, and with a November record at the box office, the top film of the weekend was without a doubt, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. The film managed to snag 70% of the domestic weekend’s total gross.

    Image via Facebook

  • Elizabeth Banks Directed A Porn, Ferris Bueller Returns, & Drunk Pat Sajak

    Elizabeth Banks Directed A Porn, Ferris Bueller Returns, & Drunk Pat Sajak

    A viral video is one that becomes popular through the process of Internet sharing, via social media, sharing sites, or good ‘ole email. Everyday we highlight some of the best that are currently viral and some that are trending that way.

    Today’s videos feature an short movie about how our clothes are made, an old lady who’s more badass than most of you (and me), and a one man Street Fighter match.

    Ok, Ok, so it was a FAKE porno. Still, pretty funny to realize that she actually did this at some point in her life.

    I wonder how many times in a row he tried to beat himself?

    Fact: Robin Williams with beard > Robin Williams without beard. Oh yeah, it’s important kids learn about conflict. CONFLICT.

    So that’s how clothes are made. If I’d known before, I would have been more interested

    The First cycle from Niels Hoebers on Vimeo.

    At least once in my life I’m going to wake someone up by slapping them in the face with a pizza.

    If you’re a Pat Sajak fan, go ahead and watch the whole thing. If you just want to hear Sajak talk about getting drunk with Vanna White in the good ol’ days – Skip to 1:05.

    I’m sure the cameraman appreciated having a real gun pointed at him during the reenactments in this feature.

    We can only hope a strung out Charlie Sheen will make an appearance in a police station when Ferris Bueller returns for the Superbowl.