Director Paul Feig is setting the record straight—there’s no bad blood between Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick. The filmmaker, known for his stylish and sharp comedic thrillers, recently addressed swirling rumors that the two actresses were at odds while promoting their latest project, Another Simple Favor, at SXSW 2025 in Austin, Texas.
The speculation caught fire after a social media post by YouTuber Melanie King suggested that Lively, 37, seemed “terrified to walk the carpet” and that Kendrick, 39, had no interest in ever working with Lively again. But Feig wasted no time shutting down those claims.
“Um … you’re wrong,” the director responded bluntly on social media. He was in Austin alongside the movie’s cast, participating in various events, including a premiere screening and a Q&A session at the Paramount Theatre. His response was direct, reinforcing that all was well between the leading ladies.
At the SXSW premiere, both Lively and Kendrick appeared relaxed and excited about their reunion, playfully engaging with fans and sharing insights into the making of the highly anticipated sequel. Lively even called working with Kendrick again “the best,” while Kendrick, in her typical witty style, responded with a casual “Oh, you know,” as they navigated the press together.
Later during the Q&A panel, which also featured co-star Henry Golding and other members of the cast, the duo laughed, exchanged side comments, and reflected on their experiences filming in Italy. The easygoing energy between them was enough to dismiss any tension rumors.
A Glamorous Return to Mystery
The film, a sequel to Feig’s hit 2018 mystery-comedy A Simple Favor, follows Kendrick’s character, Stephanie, and Lively’s enigmatic Emily as they jet off to the breathtaking island of Capri, Italy, for Emily’s extravagant wedding to a wealthy Italian businessman. With an exotic new setting and an intriguing storyline, the sequel promises to up the ante on twists, deception, and dazzling fashion.
For fans who loved the sharp-witted chemistry between Kendrick and Lively in the original, the sequel is a dream come true. Feig himself admitted that revisiting these characters felt like an absolute thrill. “It was too much fun. Too much fun,” he said on the SXSW red carpet. “I had such a great experience on the first one, and it always stuck with me—how much I loved working with the two of them, as well as the rest of the cast.”
Feig revealed that shooting in Capri had been on his bucket list for some time, and this sequel gave him the perfect excuse. “I always wanted to shoot something in Capri, so it was a dream come true to figure that one out,” he shared.
Reuniting After Years Apart
Kendrick previously told PEOPLE in October that getting back on set with Lively felt effortless. “She lives on the East Coast, I live on the West Coast, so we don’t get to see each other often,” she explained. “But it was lovely. I think those characters have such weird chemistry that it’s just fun to get the gang back together. And it does feel a little bit like riding a bike.”
This premiere was especially significant for Lively, as it marked one of her first major public appearances since her legal dispute with It Ends with Us director and co-star Justin Baldoni made headlines. She had also recently been spotted alongside husband Ryan Reynolds at the SNL50: The Anniversary Special, but otherwise, she has kept a relatively low profile.
Despite the online chatter, a source close to the production assured PEOPLE earlier this year that there was “really no drama or rift” between the two actresses. The tension? Simply non-existent.
Where to Watch the Sequel
Excited to see what happens next in Stephanie and Emily’s wild saga? Another Simple Favor officially begins streaming on Prime Video on May 1. With its stylish intrigue, gorgeous European setting, and the dynamic chemistry of its leading ladies, it’s shaping up to be a must-watch thriller with a touch of humor.
So, while the internet may love a juicy feud, the reality is far less dramatic—just a group of talented actors coming together once again to deliver a stylish, suspenseful, and wildly entertaining film.
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