As we await the announcement of the inevitable Jurassic Park 5, Universal Pictures has firmed up plans to a sequel to another one of its crazy-performing follow-ups of 2015. We learned last week that Pitch Perfect 3 was in development with screenwriter Kay Cannon coming back for a third time to pen the script, and today Universal has slated the film for release on July 21, 2017. The puts the movie smack dab in the heat of the summer movie season, where it will open one week after the new Planet of the Apes movie and one week before Sony and Marvel’s new standalone Spider-Man film.

While there was some question over whether Pitch Perfect stars Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson would be returning for a third movie given that their contracts are up for renegotiation, Universal’s release date announcement also carries the news that Kendrick and Wilson are indeed coming back as the stars of PP3. That’s good news, as the two are the heart of this franchise and Pitch Perfect would feel very different without them.

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Image via Universal Pictures

Universal hasn’t confirmed any other castmembers just yet, including Hailee Steinfeld who was brought into Pitch Perfect 2 to potentially take over the franchise down the road. The comedy sequel was somewhat disappointing creatively—it felt too much like fan service in parts—but it cleaned up at the box office. The movie has now grossed nearly $260 million worldwide against a modest budget of just $29 million.

Elizabeth Banks returns as producer, but it’s unclear if she will also direct after making her feature debut behind the camera on Pitch Perfect 2. She recently entered talks to direct the effects-heavy YA fantasy adaptation Red Queen for Universal, so it’s possible she’ll be too busy to take the reins. Whatever the case, prepare for more Pitch Perfect shenanigans coming our way in Summer 2017.


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Image via Universal Pictures