The Barden Bellas usher in the New Year 2018 as they return in Universal Pictures’ Pitch Perfect 3, the next chapter in the beloved series that has taken in more than $400 million at the global box office. The highly anticipated sequel takes a bow in Philippine cinemas on Monday, January 8.
Pitch Perfect 3 stars Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, Alexis Knapp, Hana Mae Lee, Ester Dean, Chrissie Fit, Kelley Jakle, Shelley Regner, John Lithgow, John Michael Higgins and Elizabeth Banks.
In the film, after the highs of winning the World Championships, the Bellas find themselves split apart and discovering there aren’t job prospects for making music with your mouth. But when they get the chance to reunite for an overseas USO tour, this group of awesome nerds will come together to make some music, and some questionable decisions, one last time.
For Elizabeth Banks, this chapter represented a full-circle moment. She and her fellow producers had developed the series from its inception, and Banks stepped behind the camera to direct the juggernaut Pitch Perfect 2. As well, she has performed as the a cappella-obsessed Gail, who alongside commentator John, cannot leave the Bellas alone. It was important for the filmmaker to have the series evolve in a new direction. “This movie not only has more singing and more dancing than the previous two features, but it is a full-fledged action-adventure,” states Banks. “We were excited about the idea of literally making the Bellas action heroes, especially Fat Amy.”
At the helm of Pitch Perfect 3 is director Trish Sie, known for her critically acclaimed choreography in the Grammy Award-nominated OK Go music videos and the explosive Step Up All In. Beyond excited to join the team, Sie reveals: “I’ve been a big fan of Pitch Perfect movies ever since I saw the first one in theaters. It was one of those movies that filled me with a certain amount of existential rage, because I wished I had been a part of that film…and figured I never would get that chance.”
“Trish’s background started with OK Go, who has had some of the more spectacular music videos of the last several years,” commends Banks. “She comes from a choreography background and brings that energy you need to find in a Pitch Perfect movie. She equally gets our ridiculous sense of humor. So after meeting a number of times, it felt like Trish was the perfect choice. Away we went.”
One of the proudest moments of her astonishing career, Banks gives all her love to this chapter. “We’re thrilled to have a female director and an all-female cast, and to be promoting interesting and fun stories for women,” she provides. “There aren’t enough movies that do that. We love the message to young girls about the teamwork involved, about friendship, and what they can aspire to in their own lives. Trish brought an infectious energy to every meeting, as well as a passion and a resume that was right. We felt like we found a great person to be in charge of our film, and she just happens to be a woman. That is icing on the cake.”
Pitch Perfect 3 is distributed in the Philippines by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.