So, let's talk about the pink-and-blue elephant in the room. When DreamWorks first announced they were making a movie about those fuzzy-haired 90s dolls, most of us probably rolled our eyes. Hard. But then something weird happened. Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake showed up, and suddenly, we weren't just watching a toy commercial; we were watching a weirdly charming comedy duo that actually had legs.
Honestly, on paper, they're kind of an odd match. You've got Anna Kendrick, the queen of dry, self-deprecating wit who probably has a sarcastic comment ready before she even wakes up. Then you've got Justin Timberlake, the quintessential "perfect" pop star who’s been in the spotlight since he was a kid. But somehow, when you put Poppy and Branch together, it just sticks.
It’s been nearly a decade since the first Trolls movie hit theaters in 2016. Since then, we’ve seen sequels, holiday specials, and a whole lot of press tour banter. It’s a professional marriage that’s outlasted many actual Hollywood marriages.
The Cannes Performance That Almost Didn't Happen
Most people remember their cover of "True Colors." It was everywhere. What most people don't know is that they were both absolutely miserable while filming that iconic performance at the Cannes Film Festival.
Kendrick recently opened up about this on the Armchair Expert podcast. Basically, they were both incredibly sick. We’re talking "can barely function" sick. Kendrick was terrified because, well, she’s a great singer, but she’s standing next to Justin Timberlake. He’s a vocal powerhouse.
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She recounted how JT started riffing and doing these complex vocal runs right before they went on. She panicked. She asked him if he was going to do all that on stage because she knew her voice couldn't keep up in her state. Timberlake, being a total pro, shut it down immediately to make her feel comfortable. He told her they’d stick to the simple version they practiced. That’s the kind of professional dynamic that doesn't get enough credit. It’s not just about two stars sharing a paycheck; it's about actual collaboration.
Why Poppy and Branch Are Basically Their Real Personalities
If you watch enough interviews, you start to see where the characters end and the real people begin. Or rather, where they overlap.
Anna Kendrick has admitted that Poppy’s relentless optimism is something she finds both exhausting and hilarious. In the movies, Poppy is the one who thinks a scrapbooking session can solve a literal genocide threat. Branch is the guy in the bunker with enough traps to stop a small army.
In real life? Kendrick is definitely the "bunker" person in terms of her humor. She’s cynical and sharp. Timberlake is the one who’s been the executive music producer for the franchise, essentially being the "cheerleader" for the whole project's sound. It’s a total flip of their characters, which is probably why the chemistry feels so balanced. They aren't just playing themselves; they’re playing the foil to each other’s natural energy.
The "BroZone" Irony
In Trolls Band Together (2023), the plot literally centers on Branch being in a boy band that broke up. The irony here is thick. Timberlake, of course, was the breakout star of *NSYNC.
Watching Kendrick's character, Poppy, geek out over Branch’s secret boy band past felt like a meta-commentary on Timberlake's own life. It’s a bit of a "wink-wink, nudge-nudge" to the audience. This movie even gave us the first new *NSYNC song in twenty years, "Better Place."
What Really Happened with the "Trolls 2" Drama?
You might remember that Trolls World Tour was the first major movie to skip theaters and go straight to digital because of the 2020 lockdowns. It caused a massive rift between Universal and AMC Theatres.
But behind the scenes, there were rumors about how the actors felt. While Kendrick and Timberlake have always been supportive publicly, the industry was in a panic. Actors usually get bonuses based on box office numbers. When those numbers don't exist because everyone is watching from their couch, things get messy.
Reports at the time suggested that both stars were "surprised" by the move. It was a pivotal moment in Hollywood history that changed how talent gets paid. Even though they were voicing colorful trolls, they were at the center of a corporate battle that redefined the streaming era.
The Work Ethic Nobody Talks About
Timberlake isn't just a voice actor here. He’s the Executive Music Producer. That means he’s actually in the studio with Kendrick, directing her vocals.
Imagine having to sing in front of a guy who has ten Grammys. Kendrick has joked that it's "intimidating as hell." But she also noted that Timberlake is a "practical" partner in crime.
- He’s meticulous. He'll have them drill a single line for an hour to get the harmony right.
- She’s a quick study. Coming from a Broadway background (High Society at age 12!), Kendrick can read music and hold her own.
- They don't take it too seriously. Their press tours are a masterclass in "controlled chaos."
Is there a Trolls 4?
While nothing is officially greenlit as of early 2026, the box office for Trolls Band Together was solid enough ($210 million) to keep the lights on. Kendrick and Timberlake have both expressed that as long as the scripts stay funny and the music stays catchy, they’re in. They’ve basically become the faces of DreamWorks' most consistent modern franchise.
What We Can Learn From the Kendrick-Timberlake Partnership
It’s easy to dismiss celebrity collaborations as purely financial. And yeah, they’re making a ton of money. But there’s a reason some pairings feel "off" and this one feels "right."
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- Respect the Craft: Even when the material is "just for kids," they treat the music like it’s a platinum record. "Can't Stop the Feeling!" didn't become a global anthem by accident.
- Vulnerability Matters: Kendrick being honest about her nerves and Timberlake being willing to scale back his performance to match his partner shows a level of ego-free teamwork that’s rare in A-listers.
- Lean Into the Meta: They aren't afraid to poke fun at their own public personas—the sarcastic indie darling and the polished pop king.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into their work together, don’t just watch the movies. Look up their live performances at Cannes or their "Unpopular Opinions" segment with Mashable. It gives you a much better sense of why they’ve been able to maintain this professional spark for over a decade.
Your Next Steps:
- Check out the Trolls Band Together soundtrack specifically for the track "Better Place" to hear the *NSYNC reunion within the context of the film.
- Listen to the True Colors cover from the 2016 soundtrack; now that you know they were both sick during the recording and promotion, you’ll hear the vocal control in a completely different light.
- Watch their 2016 Cannes Film Festival interview to see the raw, unedited chemistry that convinced DreamWorks they had a franchise-leading duo on their hands.