Skylar Astin reflects on success of 'Pitch Perfect' ahead of film's 10th anniversary

"It was a movie that wasn't afraid to be in on its own joke."

June 1, 2021, 10:11 AM

"Pitch Perfect" will mark its 10th anniversary next year.

Skylar Astin, who played Jesse Swanson, the love interest of Anna Kendrick's Beca in the 2012 musical comedy, recently admitted he is having a hard time believing that, telling ABC Audio, "Oh boy, I'm old! What the heck happened?"

The actor has some ideas about why "Pitch Perfect" became a global sensation, hinting that it wasn't the music that resonated the most with the audience.

"It was a movie that wasn't afraid to be in on its own joke and it didn't take itself too seriously," Astin explained. "A major theme of that movie is to allow yourself to be vulnerable and allow yourself to make weird sounds with your mouth -- which is weird -- and a lot of those characters did so unapologetically."

"It was very heartwarming but we also led with humor," the actor continued. "So we made you laugh and then there was a little bit of heart there to tie it together."

With the film's 10th anniversary on the horizon, Astin, who recently teamed with Temptations, has some thoughts on how the movie's cast will celebrate the occasion.

"Maybe we'll do a big Zoom or maybe ... by that time, we can all get together," the "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist" star said. "[It would] be fun to do some sort of concert or some sort of charity event."

PHOTO: Skylar Astin arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "Pitch Perfect" held at ArcLight Cinemas on Sept. 24, 2012 in Hollywood, Calif.
Skylar Astin arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "Pitch Perfect" held at ArcLight Cinemas on Sept. 24, 2012 in Hollywood, Calif.
Michael Tran/FilmMagic via Getty Images, FILE

Astin added that he's not in charge of planning the 10th anniversary celebration, admitting, "I only answer the call ... they know exactly where to find me."

"Pitch Perfect," which also starred Elizabeth Banks, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, John Michael Higgins and many others, premiered Sept. 24, 2012. It went on to earn $115 million at the box office.

The film's success inspired two sequels.