Elizabeth Banks transitioned from being an actress to a director then back to an actress again this year, what with her acting and directorial duties in "Pitch Perfect 2" and now her role as Effie Trinket in "Mockingjay: Part 2" and Melinda Ledbetter in "Love & Mercy."
Speaking to Yahoo! Movies, Banks gushed that "Mockingjay: Part 2" would provide a "satisfying close" to the franchise led by Jennifer Lawrence, who portrays rebellion leader Katniss Everdeen.
"The movie is beautiful, wonderful, a great conclusion, true to the book," said Banks.
One of the highlights of the film will have to be the performance of the late actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, according to the actress. He died from a drug overdose on Super Bowl Sunday in 2014 at age 46, and he only completed his role as Head Gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee in "Mockingjay: Part 1."
To make up for it, director Francis Lawrence then rewrote the remaining script then gave the actor's lines to other actors. Lawrence was insistent that he will not use CGI or any stand-in for Hoffman's remaining scenes.
The result, according to Banks, is tear-jerking. "The most emotional thing about seeing the movie is seeing Phil, seeing Philip Seymour Hoffman again," the actress said. "And just being taken right back to that whole experience and just being reminded of that tragedy."
Banks cannot deny that 2015 had been a whirlwind year for her, and it's a nice feeling that she can shift from being a director to actress seamlessly.
"This year was so much about directing for me, with 'Pitch Perfect 2,' so to have a movie remind everybody that I'm also an actor is nice," Banks laughingly said. "That I had a career for 15 years before directing 'Pitch Perfect 2.'"
There are already some buzz about her role in "Love & Mercy," which is directed by Bill Pohland possibly nabbing an award, and Banks cannot deny that the thought of winning an award and being lauded for her acting skills really excites her.
"It's never defined my life as an actor, and I hope it won't define my life as an actor," she said. "But anyone who says they don't want the cheese is lying."
"Amy Poehler calls awards 'cheese.' I'm stealing that from Amy Poehler. But I wouldn't mind some cheese, sure," she added.
"Mockingjay: Part 2" will open in cinemas on November 20, 2015.
