A Simple Favor Director Responds to Feud Rumors Between Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick

Paul Feig has a simple request: dismiss rumors about tension between Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick. The director, who worked with both stars on the 2018 film A Simple Favor and its sequel Another Simple Favor, addressed claims of an alleged feud following the film's premiere.

Feig responded on March 8 to a social media post by YouTuber Melanie King. The post suggested that Lively felt "terrified" to attend the SXSW event, implying Kendrick was "pissed" and unwilling to collaborate again. Feig simply stated, "Um... you’re wrong."

Speculation about discord rekindled due to their lack of joint photo opportunities at SXSW, unlike at promotional events for the original film. At the premiere, Kendrick offered a vague response about reuniting with Lively. In a now-famous clip from Entertainment Tonight, she said, "Oh, you know..."

In contrast, Lively expressed enthusiasm, calling her reunion with Kendrick "the best." Earlier in October, Kendrick shared a positive take on the collaboration, stating, "It was lovely," and noted the special chemistry between their characters.

Recent events marked a turbulent period for Lively. Two months post-Kendrick's interview, she initiated a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, her directorial counterpart. In response, Baldoni countersued Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for defamation and extortion, both sides alleging smear campaigns without admitting wrongdoing.

Feig publicly supported Lively amidst these controversies. He stated, "I've now made two movies with Blake, and I can say she’s one of the most professional, creative, collaborative, talented and kind people I’ve ever worked with. She truly did not deserve any of this smear campaign against her."

He later addressed unfounded claims that the legal issues impacted the film’s release, starkly stating, "This is total BS. Sorry. The movie is finished and coming out soon. Don’t believe anything you read on social media these days."

Earlier, SSP reported that Tia Mowry discussed potential "Sister, Sister" reboot.