In Pitch Perfect 2, the Barden Bellas are graduating, and most of them have to come to the realization that there is life beyond collegiate a cappella competitions. The film has such a strong female presence, that the male cast are the supporting players. It’s a nice change of pace. Skylar Astin plays Jesse, another a cappella singer and Beca’s (Anna Kendrick) boyfriend, while Ben Platt plays Jesse’s best friend and Emily’s (Hailee Steinfeld) love interest.

We were recently invited to the film’s press conference where we talked about what it was like to work with Elizabeth Banks (who makes her directorial debut), improving, the evolution of their characters, some hilarious outtakes, and more.

Read our full interview with the Astin and Platt below.

The Final Girls
Director: Todd Strauss-Schulson
Screenwriters: M. A. Fortin, Joshua John Miller
Cast: Taissa Farmiga, Malin Akerman, Adam DeVine, Thomas Middleditch, Alia Shawkat, Alexander Ludwig, Nina Dobrev
Release Date: March 13, 2014

Directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson (A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas) The Final Girls is the latest in a growing cannon of meta-horror films. Part horror, part comedy, and all meta, The Final Girls satirizes 70’s and 80’s summer camp slasher films. The story follows Max (Taissa Farmiga, American Horror Story), a young virgin who (through mysterious circumstances which shall not be spoiled here) lands inside the very film that defined her mother’s scream queen career. Once inside, Max and her reluctant friends must survive horny camp counselors, trippy flashbacks, sing-alongs, and the deranged psycho-killer Billy (a stoic, slow-walking homage to Jason Voorhees of Friday the 13th).

One of the most surprisingly hilarious films of 2012 was Pitch Perfect. The film had a sweet blend of witty humor and top 40 pop songs mashups that even had some haters tapping their foot to the beat of the music. Now Anna Kendick and Rebel Wilson are back for some more in Pitch Perfect 2. The first film saw the Barden Bellas beat the odds to become the first female a capella group to win a national title. In the sequel, the Bellas will enter themselves in a world wide competition where no American team has won.

The first trailer for Pitch Perfect 2 has comedy, cameos, the return of familiar faces, and of course music. But there are some emotional layers that can be heard as well, as hinted by the very first song sung in the trailer. Hit the jump to check it out.