Pitch Perfect 3: Elizabeth Banks will no longer direct comedy

She will still maintain her role as producer of the film

Elizabeth Banks and Rebel Wilson at the first Pitch Perfect premiere Kevin Winter/Getty

Elizabeth Banks is no longer set to direct the next installment of the hit acapella-singing comedy, Pitch Perfect 3.

Variety said the actor-turned-director could not make time for the film amid an increasingly busy schedule.

Banks told attendees at a Producer’s Guild symposium Saturday that her parental responsibilities played a major role in her decision.

“The new schedule butts up against my parental responsibilities in a way I’m not really comfortable with,” she said.

Sony reportedly pushed the release date back from July to December.

Banks will continue serving as producer of the film - a role she has had since the first film. She directed the first sequel, which grossed $285m worldwide.

The first Pitch Perfect film grossed $117m, and was made on a $17m budget - what’s considered rather low by current Hollywood standards.

Banks is still set to direct a new Charlie’s Angels film, and she will star as the villain in the upcoming Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers movie.