Pitch Perfect 3 loses Elizabeth Banks as director

Pitch Perfect was something of a cult favourite, picking up steam on home entertainment, while its sequel Pitch Perfect 2 – which featured one of the original’s stars, Elizabeth Banks, as first-time director – racked up impressive numbers at the box office. While Banks was initially signed on to direct the third instalment, she’s now dropped out much to the chagrin of aca-fans everywhere.

Variety reports that Banks has exited the project on good terms with the studio, and was the result of a busy schedule and family duties. No replacement has been announced as of yet, but Banks remains onboard as a producer, while the film’s tentative release date of July 21, 2017 has been pushed back to December 22 of that year.

The question we’re most concerned with? Will Banks reprise her small but hilarious role as contest commentator Gail?