Elizabeth Banks no longer directing Pitch Perfect 3

Actress-turned-filmmaker Elizabeth Banks has reportedly stepped down from directing the forthcoming Pitch Perfect sequel.

The star made her directorial debut with Pitch Perfect 2 last year (15), and in October (15), she signed on to reprise her role behind the camera for the next instalment.

However, the project has since suffered a setback as Elizabeth is no longer attached to take charge of Pitch Perfect 3, according to TheWrap.com.

A reason for her departure has yet to be revealed, but The Hunger Games star has a busy few months ahead of her as she is due to direct the big screen adaptation of Victoria Aveyard's young adult novel Red Queen and the planned reboot of Charlie's Angels.

Elizabeth will stay on as a producer of Pitch Perfect 3.

A replacement director has yet to be named.

The news emerges days after studio bosses at Universal pushed back the movie's scheduled release from July, 2017 to December, 2017.

The new Pitch Perfect sequel will feature the return of leading ladies Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson and Brittany Snow, with Kay Cannon returning to write the script.