Elizabeth Banks has worked hard for the more or less 70 roles that she acted; but the directorial debut for "Pitch Perfect 2" conveniently landed on he lap.

The 41-year-old actress sat down with The Hollywood Reporter to talk about her career and her first directing job, "Pitch Perfect 2."

"I went through no hoops for this particular job," Elizabeth Banks said. "I just put myself right at the spot where someone needed to be to get the job. And I prepared. I knew I wanted to direct, so I met DPs, I ran sets, I chose music."

"I went through the process of directing in little ways - nothing too big or risky or time-consuming. I just started really observing."

It helped that Elizabeth Banks was already a cast and producer of the first film, which quickly developed a cult following and killed it at the box-office.

With a production budget of just $17 million, the 2012 film "Pitch Perfect" went on to earn over $113 in worldwide ticket sales. It also catapulted Anna Kendrick to mainstream audience after getting critics' nod for "Up in the Air," opposite George Clooney.

Judd Apatow, who directed another surprise hit, "Knocked Up," told THR that she wasn't surprised when Elizabeth Banks was tapped to direct "Pitch Perfect 2."

"She has a great eye for material and understands all aspects of production. It's great when somebody decides to grab the reins like that."

Elizabeth Banks also considers "Pitch Perfect 2" a test on whether she has the bankability to become a commercial director in Hollywood that the studios can finance.

"This is the test. And I like to get As," she told THR.

"Pitch Perfect 2" will see Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, Skylar Astin, Adam DeVine, Elizabeth Banks, Christopher Mintz-Plasse all reprising their respective roles. The sequel is set to air this May 15, 2015.