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Elizabeth Banks Defies “Can’t Direct Men” Warning, Leads Blockbusters

4/24/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Elizabeth Banks told Kelly Clarkson she had been warned she could not direct men.
A colleague warned, “You can’t direct men; they won’t follow you,” which spurred her determination.
She later directed Ray Liotta in Cocaine Bear (2023) ($90 million) and Pitch Perfect 2 ($287 million worldwide).
Media labeled her 2019 Charlie’s Angels reboot—a $73 million film—a “chick flick” and claimed she was the franchise’s first female director.

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Story summary

Elizabeth Banks told Kelly Clarkson she had been warned she could not direct men.
A colleague warned, “You can’t direct men; they won’t follow you,” which spurred her determination.
She later directed Ray Liotta in Cocaine Bear (2023) ($90 million) and Pitch Perfect 2 ($287 million worldwide).
Media labeled her 2019 Charlie’s Angels reboot—a $73 million film—a “chick flick” and claimed she was the franchise’s first female director.