With less than a year to go until Pitch Perfect 2, the hotly anticipated sequel to Universal’s 2012 hit a capella comedy, hits theaters, we’ve been hearing a lot about the project over the past few weeks. Most recently, Sons of Anarchy star Katey Sagal joined the cast, playing the on-screen mother of another new cast member, Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld. Now, it’s been announced that Skylar Astin, one of Pitch Perfect‘s breakout actors, will be returning for the follow-up.

Astin played Jesse, the love interest of protagonist Beca (Anna Kendrick), in Pitch Perfect. A member of Barden University’s male a capella group The Treblemakers, Jesse originally came into contact with Beca as a singing rival, considering that The Treblemakers often competed against Beca’s all-female group, the Barden Bellas. Sparks flew between the two, and their blossoming romance was one of the most well-received plotlines in the original film.

So, it’s exciting to officially hear that Astin will be back for more in Pitch Perfect 2. Whether his character will continue his relationship with Beca, however, is a question only those currently working on the film can answer. It had long been assumed that the actor would be involved, but the confirmation from Deadline will surely put a lot of the film’s fans at ease. Astin joins Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow, Ester Dean, Alexis Knapp, Hana Mae Lee and Kelley Jakle in the returning cast. In addition to Sagal and Steinfeld, Pitch Perfect 2 will also introduce a new character played by Chrissie Fit.

No plot details yet, but Kay Cannon is returning to pen the script for Pitch Perfect 2, and Elizabeth Banks will be making her directorial debut on the project. With both of those talented individuals involved, the probability that Pitch Perfect 2 will arrive as a worthy follow-up seems high.

Pitch Perfect 2 will open on May 15th, 2015.

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