Anna Kendrick's Euphoria: Directing 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' and the Enduring Bonds of 'Pitch Perfect'

Anna Kendrick is embracing a pivotal moment in her career, stepping into the director's chair for the Netflix adaptation of "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo." Her enthusiasm for this new challenge is palpable, as she also delves into the unexpected journey of "Pitch Perfect," a film that not only became a cultural phenomenon but also forged unbreakable bonds among its cast, which she endearingly compares to the camaraderie of the Avengers. Kendrick also opens up about her latest acting endeavor in "Babies" and a growing aspiration to portray characters with intense emotional depth, specifically those driven by anger and rage, a departure from her usual roles.

During her appearance at the Zurich Film Festival for the European premiere of Lauren Miller Rogen's "Babies," Anna Kendrick shared her elation regarding her upcoming directorial project, "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo." The news of her helming the Netflix film, based on Taylor Jenkins Reid's acclaimed novel, was first announced in June, marking a significant milestone in her artistic journey. Liz Tigelaar penned the screenplay, with Francesca Sloane undertaking recent revisions, and Jenkins Reid herself is on board as an executive producer, ensuring the adaptation stays true to its literary roots.

Kendrick candidly recounted her initial trepidation about directing for the first time. She admitted to being "really in a panic" before stepping onto the set. A reassuring conversation with her "Pitch Perfect" co-star, Brittany Snow, who had previously navigated the anxieties of a first-time director with her film "Parachute," proved to be the calming influence Kendrick needed. Snow's straightforward advice, "You're gonna get on set and know what to do, stop it," provided the pragmatic perspective Kendrick required to overcome her fears.

Reflecting on the enduring legacy of "Pitch Perfect," Kendrick observed what she termed "historical revisionism" surrounding the 2012 musical comedy. She highlighted how the film gained a "second life" on HBO during the nascent stages of streaming services. She also recalled the studio's request for her to record a full-length version of the "Cup Song" and produce a music video, an endeavor she initially considered a "waste of money." However, the "Cup Song" defied expectations, achieving massive viral success with millions of digital downloads, hundreds of millions of YouTube views, and a peak position of No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. Kendrick expressed her astonishment at its widespread appeal, jokingly mentioning receiving a platinum record akin to Snoop Dogg.

Beyond its commercial success, "Pitch Perfect" gifted Kendrick with a profound sense of sisterhood, introducing her to "10 girls who are family, in the truest sense." She mentioned Brittany Snow, Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp, and Hailee Steinfeld as integral parts of this close-knit group. Kendrick emphasized the organic nature of their bond, stating they didn't choose each other but are now inextricably linked. She described their collective support system as an "Avengers, assemble" dynamic, where they rally around each other during difficult times, offering immediate comfort and solutions. The actress also clarified that despite popular perception, "Pitch Perfect" was not an immediate box-office smash but performed adequately, securing sequels due to its growing popularity rather than initial theatrical earnings.

The film's impact on Kendrick's career has been overwhelmingly positive, enabling her to greenlight projects that might otherwise have remained unproduced. She specifically cited the film "Alice, Darling" as a project that likely wouldn't have been made with her involvement had it not been for the opportunities created by "Pitch Perfect." These cinematic experiences have, she stated, brought her "nothing but positive things." Kendrick also reunited with Seth Rogen in "Babies," 15 years after their collaboration in Jonathan Levine's "50/50." The film, directed by Rogen's wife, Lauren Miller Rogen, draws inspiration from the couple's personal journey of deciding whether to have children. Kendrick admired the Rogens' seemingly effortless and deeply connected relationship, which served as a roadmap for her portrayal in the film, describing their dynamic as tender, gentle, and inspiring.

Kendrick also briefly touched upon "Misty Green," Chris Rock's Toronto-darling film. She revealed that she rarely gets cast in roles that require expressing anger or rage, a challenge she finds both exciting and daunting. Recounting a scene with Rich Sommer and Daniel Kaluuya, where Kaluuya's character transitions from calm to explosive anger, Kendrick realized the potential for such roles. She believes that embodying such intense emotions would be "very challenging and exciting," especially given her smaller stature, and sees it as an interesting artistic exploration.