Elizabeth Banks claims Hollywood sexism drove her to directing.

The 41-year-old star - who has previously expressed her frustration at feeling like she was ''always the bridesmaid'' in films - has revealed she decided to make her directorial debut with 'Pitch Perfect 2' because she felt ''unfulfilled'' with a lot of the acting roles being offered to her.

Asked whether sexism affected her decision, she said: ''Oh, I think it drove me to direct for sure.

''I definitely was feeling that I was unfulfilled and a little bit bored by the things that were coming across my desk. I mean things like playing Effie (in 'The Hunger Games') really helped sustain me. She's so iconic and I love her and people really get to see the movie but I think at a certain point, everything that's coming across my desk, I'm like, 'I'm vibrant and vital and interested. I still got my looks.'''

The 'Walk of Shame' actress - who has sons Felix, four, and Magnus, two - continued to say she had little hope of her roles improving because even actresses who are more well known than herself such as Gwyneth Paltrow find it difficult to get leading parts.

She told Deadline.com: ''I think it's really just about my peer group. Just watching my peer group get to still have lead roles in movies and know that more and more, those are going to up-and-comers instead of people who are veterans in the industry. I mean I look at Gwyneth Paltrow who has her Oscar and played fifth banana to Iron Man. That to me is a great example of the fate of women in Hollywood. Like what more can you do? I didn't even date Brad Pitt so what more can I do?''