We Like to Watch: Anna Kendrick of ‘Up in the Air’

Anna Kendrick has the sneaking suspicion that her life is about to change. She’s onto something. The 24-year-old actress will star opposite George Clooney in Up in the Air, Jason Reitman’s adaptation of the best-selling Walter Kirn novel about a man obsessed with accruing frequent flier miles. “I’m allowing myself to think about the possibility that this could be a big deal, because I think the worst thing would be to get caught off guard,” says Kendrick, best known for playing Jessica, the fickle friend to Kristen Stewart’s Bella in Twilight. (She will reprise the role in this fall’s ravenously anticipated sequel, New Moon.)

Kendrick first turned heads as a motor-mouth debater in the little-seen festival oddball Rocket Science, a performance that impressed Reitman so much he wrote the part in Up in the Air with her in mind. (Still, she had to fight to keep it: rumor has it Juno ingénue Ellen Page auditioned for the role.) After Twilight, she’ll play Michael Cera’s sister in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, an adaptation of the quirky graphic novels. With all of these high-profile projects about to be released, Kendrick will have to adjust to some of the more bizarro elements of movie stardom. Namely: premieres. “I always convince myself they’re going to be fun,” says Kendrick. “But having that much energy thrown at you is always jarring.” She’d better get used to it.

Shirt by H&M, jewelry by Bulgari.

Photography by Hellin Kay. Styling by Jodi Leesley. Hair by Jonny Stutz for Bumble and Bumble @ Photogenics. Beauty @ Smashbox. Makeup by Riko Camp @ Celestine. Stylist’s Assistant Jessica Goddard. Location, Bardot, Los Angeles.