Elizabeth Banks to Direct ‘Pitch Perfect 3’: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson Return

Elizabeth Banks is confirmed to return to the Pitch Perfect franchise and direct its third installment of the acapella-singing Bella's' journey in Pitch Perfect 3. Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow and Rebel Wilson will reprise their roles for another comedic look at the world of competitive singing.

Banks will produce the film alongside her husband Max Handelman and Gold Circle Films president Paul Brooks. The script will be written by Kay Cannon, who wrote the first two scripts that Pitch Perfect fans have learn to say (or sing!) by heart.

The comedy is based on Mickey Rapkin's non-fiction book, Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory. Each film has followed the acapella team The Bellas, formerly the best group on the fictional college campus Barden University, who failed miserably and become a group of singing misfits. The all-female group runs into hilarious situations while chasing the dream of winning singing competitions. Banks has played competition commenter Gail in the last two films, but has yet confirmed if she'll reprise the role for the third movie.

The upcoming film has made headlines since this spring, but Banks was slow to confirm if she would be back to direct or star in the film. She said in an interview, "I'm really focused on putting this movie out and then letting the audience tell us what to do next."

Banks' directorial debut on Pitch Perfect 2 had the highest domestic opening ever for a first-time director. The box-office hit made $285.2 million worldwide.

The actress is steadily in demand for both in front of and behind the camera. She has been tapped to direct Universal's Red Queen and the Sony's upcoming Charlie's Angels reboot. Banks will be seen on the big screen next month in Mockingjay – Part 2. And earlier this year she starred in Love and Mercy, Magic Mike XXL and Pitch Perfect 2.

Pitch Perfect 3 is scheduled to hit theaters in August 2017.