Elizabeth Banks spills ‘Pitch Perfect 2’ secrets

CEBU, Philippines -  Aca-awesome sequel news: Elizabeth Banks is dishing on “Pitch Perfect 2.” The 40-year-old beauty—who is currently making her directorial debut in the highly anticipated sequel—chatted 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 said 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 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.”

The actress was also quizzed 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 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.