by Anna Kendrick has become one of the most beloved actresses of her generation, known for her quick wit, expressive talent, and star turns in films like Up in the Air and the Pitch Perfect franchise. But many fans don’t know that Kendrick almost turned down the career-making role of Beca Mitchell in the original Pitch Perfect film.
As a major Kendrick fan, I’ve done a deep dive into interviews and profiles to try to understand what gave her pause about joining the Pitch Perfect cast. Her hesitations reveal a lot about Kendrick’s thoughtful approach to her craft and desire to take on roles that resonate with her personally. Though Pitch Perfect ultimately became one of her defining projects, she wasn’t immediately sold on the idea.
Reluctance to Join a Big Studio Comedy
First and foremost, Kendrick was hesitant because Pitch Perfect would be her first big studio comedy and her first major project in the musical genre. She found the prospect daunting.
Up to that point, the actress had worked almost exclusively in indie films and theater. She earned acclaim for her intense dramatic work in films like Rocket Science, Elsewhere, and Up in the Air, for which she received an Oscar nomination at just 24 years old. Pitch Perfect would require her to flex very different creative muscles.
“I was nervous about doing a studio comedy because I had only done indie films,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. “And I don’t sing.”
Kendrick prided herself on taking risks and choosing unexpected projects. She likely worried that a mainstream comedy like Pitch Perfect wouldn’t live up to the originality of her previous choices. The demanding singing requirements also intimidated her.
Concerns About the Character
In addition to genre concerns, Kendrick was initially unimpressed with the characterization of Beca Mitchell on paper. She didn’t connect personally with the character. In interviews, she admitted:
“I didn’t think she was that cool. I thought she was kind of obnoxious, and I didn’t understand her apathy.”
As a passionate and driven performer herself, Kendrick may have found Beca’s disaffected attitude and snarky quips off-putting. She seems to have feared Beca would come across as vain and judgmental rather than the lovable misfit the creative team intended.
It wasn’t until Kendrick met with director Jason Moore that she gained appreciation for Beca’s complexity and backstory. Moore filled in details about Beca’s troubled family life and longstanding passion for music mixing. Kendrick realized Beca had authentic vulnerability and talent underneath her prickly facade. Understanding Beca’s motivations made the character click for Kendrick.
“Jason helped me understand who she was, and then I was on board 100 percent,” she shared.
If Kendrick hadn’t taken the time to dig deeper into Beca’s story, she may never have connected to the role that made her a household name.
Intimidated by the A Cappella Singing
The most unavoidable reason for Kendrick’s hesitation was the a cappella singing requirement. Since Pitch Perfect revolves around college a cappella groups battling through elaborate song mashups, Kendrick knew singing skillfully would be crucial.
“These other actresses could really sing, and I could really, really not sing,” she admitted bluntly.
Kendrick’s previous experience included just one musical film, the indie comedy Camp, when she was still a teenager. While she had theatrical training, she had never taken formal voice lessons. Mastering the precise, multi-part harmonies of a cappella seemed enormously challenging.
She feared she couldn’t deliver the vocal quality the role demanded. Her own self-doubt almost kept her from rising to the challenge.
“I was scared I would ruin this experience for everyone,” she confessed.
The turning point came when Kendrick actually auditioned with one of Beca’s solo songs, showcasing an impressive natural voice. That boost of confidence, plus extensive training from a professional vocal coach, convinced Kendrick she could handle the singing after all. Her instincts were right – audiences were blown away by her vocal performances.
Overcoming Her Doubts
For all her initial doubts, Kendrick proved without a shadow of a doubt that she was the perfect choice to play Beca. Her nuanced acting brought heart and humanity to scenes that could have felt clichéd. She shone both in the musical numbers and dialog-driven comedy scenes, creating a fully realized character.
The role didn’t pigeonhole Kendrick as just a comedy or musical star either. After the success of Pitch Perfect, she continued daring to take on diverse indie films like Cake and The Accountant along with blockbuster franchises like The Twilight Saga and Trolls. She remembered the core values that first made her hesitant about Pitch Perfect.
Anna Kendrick’s openness about her insecurities is one reason she remains so relatable, even as a huge star. We all face doubts and struggles. Kendrick has proven time and again she isn’t afraid of acknowledging difficulties, working hard to overcome them, and staying grounded. For that reason, she will always have my support as a devoted fan, whether she’s singing a mashup or tackling an intense drama.
Pitch Perfect ultimately succeeded beyond expectations because Kendrick took a leap of faith outside her comfort zone. Her willingness to embrace the unknown exemplifies the determination required to have a long, fulfilling acting career. Luckily for audiences, Kendrick’s gamble on Beca opened up a world of future roles that we love her in even more.
