The Three Fantasy Worlds That Took Anna Kendrick’s Mind Completely Off Real Life

Anna Kendrick may be best known for her acting roles in Pitch Perfect and Up in the Air, but when it comes to her personal passions, she’s a full-blown fantasy fan. Over the years, she’s expressed deep affection for three iconic franchises: The Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, and Harry Potter. Here’s how each of these worlds pulled her in so completely, she practically lost track of the real one.

1. The Lord of the Rings: A Gateway Into Fantasy

Kendrick’s infatuation with J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic saga began in high school and never let up. In a 2016 appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, she called The Lord of the Rings her “gateway into fantasy” and admitted to having an annual tradition of rewatching the extended editions. This wasn’t just a casual fandom—Kendrick bonded with friends over marathon sessions, knowing the films inside and out. She even mused about which characters she identified with most, mentioning that while she aspired to be brave like Frodo or Sam, she related more to the “lazy, hungry” nature of Merry and Pippin. This personal connection made Middle-earth a world she wanted to inhabit, even imagining herself playing roles in Peter Jackson’s Hobbit trilogy.

2. Game of Thrones: An Obsession With Complexity

When it came to HBO’s Game of Thrones, Kendrick didn’t just watch—she analyzed. In interviews and social media posts, she dug into fan theories and discussed her frustrations over character arcs. In a 2017 interview with HelloGiggles, she shared her thoughts on Tyrion Lannister’s loyalty and how his decisions might shift the power dynamics in Westeros. Kendrick’s investment was so strong that she even publicly joked about the show’s lack of male nudity, showing how deeply she was immersed in the narrative’s details. Her commentary often included discussions with her brother, a more hardcore fan who had read all the books, adding another layer to her experience. It wasn’t just about the spectacle—it was about the intricate plots, the moral gray areas, and the shocking twists that kept her hooked.

3. Harry Potter: A Lighthearted Passion

While Kendrick’s devotion to Harry Potter didn’t reach the same obsessive levels as her love for Tolkien and George R.R. Martin’s worlds, the Wizarding World still played a special role in her life. She’s shared her affection for the series publicly, once showcasing The Tales of Beedle the Bard during a Late Late Show with James Corden segment. Articles have also drawn connections between her playful online persona and her love for Harry Potter, with fans mapping her tweets to different characters. Though less intense, her affection for the boy wizard and his magical adventures rounds out her fantasy fandom, showing that she’s at home in the whimsical as much as the epic.

The Bigger Picture

What makes Kendrick’s fandoms so relatable is her ability to immerse herself completely in these fictional worlds, much like any devoted fan. Whether she’s discussing the symbolic weight of Samwise Gamgee’s loyalty, theorizing about the fates of the Starks, or indulging in a bit of lighthearted Harry Potter nostalgia, Kendrick exemplifies what it means to truly lose yourself in a story. Her love for these franchises isn’t just about enjoying the end product; it’s about living in those moments, taking on the characters’ joys and struggles as if they were her own.