Anna Kendrick excited to direct 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo'

Anna Kendrick discusses directing 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' and friendships with 'Pitch Perfect' co-stars

Anna Kendrick has spoken about directing The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, describing herself as “over the moon and so excited” about the upcoming Netflix adaptation of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel.

Kendrick discussed the project during the Zurich Film Festival, where she attended the European premiere of Lauren Miller Rogen’s Babies.

Netflix announced in June that Kendrick would direct the film, which is adapted from Reid’s best-selling novel.

The screenplay was written by Liz Tigelaar, with current revisions by Francesca Sloane. Reid is attached as an executive producer.

Kendrick also reflected on her first experience directing and the support she received from Pitch Perfect co-star Brittany Snow, who had directed Parachute.

Kendrick recalled being “really in a panic” before stepping onto her first set. She said Snow helped calm her by giving her straightforward advice.

“[Snow] is normally so emotionally attuned and sensitive and has all the room in the world for your big feelings,” Kendrick said. “She went: 'You're gonna get on set and know what to do, stop it.' It was just so cut and dry and exactly what I needed to hear.”

The actor also discussed her Pitch Perfect co-stars and the friendships that developed through the franchise.

Kendrick said the group gave her “10 girls who are family, in the truest sense”, including Snow, Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp and Hailee Steinfeld.

“When someone in the group chat tells us something difficult is happening, it's like, ok: who is going over to her house tomorrow? What are we doing? How are we figuring this out? It's beautiful,” she said, comparing the group’s support to “Avengers, assemble”.

Kendrick also recalled the unexpected success of the Cup Song from the first Pitch Perfect, which she said became a major part of the film’s legacy.

She said the franchise’s success helped her secure later projects, while describing the experience as having brought “nothing but positive things” to her career.