- A Simple Favor and Another Simple Favor director Paul Feig has denied there being a feud between the movie’s co-stars
- The movie stars Anna Kendrick as Stephanie and Blake Lively as Emily
- Lively has been at the center of controversy with her ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni
Another Simple Favor was released on 7 March on Amazon Prime, but nobody is talking about the new movie. No, the alleged feud between the movie’s co-stars, Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively is what people are talking about. The two starred in the first movie, A Simple Favor together in 2018. Director Paul Feig is denying the rumors. The speculation about a feud between Kendrick and Lively isn’t new, despite the spotlight centering on Lively for her recent legal battle with Justin Baldoni.
Read More: What is Justin Baldoni’s net worth?
Old interviews from the press for the first movie in 2018 appear to hint to fans that the two didn’t get along. In April 2021, a TikTok user posted a video alleging that the two were “enemies” and were not speaking while doing their press and their press tours had to be booked “separately”.
The original user came with seemingly authentic receipts, saying she was tipped off by someone who worked at Lionsgate, a movie production company. Further interviewers the two appeared to be sarcastic with each other and continued to fuel the rumors, but the two never bought into it. Now Feig is stepping in, but what did he say about Lively and Kendrick and their supposed feud?
What did Paul Feig say about Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick?
Feig is shutting down rumors of a renewed feud between the two. On X, Feig responded to an allegation by YouTube star Melanie King that “Lively was terrified to walk the carpet” at the movie’s premiere at SXSW. The premiere was held on 6 March.
Feig responded to the post on 8 March and denied the rumors.
In a post on X, Feig said, “Um … you’re wrong”. Feig did not say much else, but his response directly shut down the rumors. This isn’t the first time he has defended his actresses. In December 2024 when Lively filed her legal complaint against Baldoni, Feig came to her defence against the backlash.
On X, he wrote: “I’ve now made two movies with Blake and all I can say is she’s one of the most professional, creative, collaborative, talented and kind people I’ve ever worked with,” Feig wrote on X. “She truly did not deserve any of this smear campaign against her. I think it’s awful she was put through this.”
A second time, when Another Simple Favor was announced in February 2025, he responded to a comment that snarkily asked, “Paul Feig’s cut or Blake’s cut?”
For reference, a part of the legal battle alleges that Lively tried to have her cut of the movie pushed rather than Baldoni’s cut, despite him being the director.
“It’s my cut,” The 62-year-old responded. There is no other cut. Blake has been nothing but supportive and a dream to work with. She is the best and an amazing collaborator and I’m her biggest fan. Just wanted to clear that up.”
Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick premiere interviews
Users shared King’s thoughts when some interview clips were posted of the women on TikTok. At the premiere, the two co-stars were asked by Entertainment Tonight how they felt working with each other again. When Lively was asked the question, she said it was “the best” and was “so happy to be here,” referencing the premiere.
Kendrick on the other hand, had a response that left users talking. When asked the same question, she responded vaguely, “Oh, you know…” Could that be her dry and sarcastic humor coming out? Yes, but fans didn’t think so. She didn’t stop to elaborate, she continued to greet fans and sign autographs at the barriers outside the premiere.
In an interview with Variety, Kendrick was asked how she thought the movie was being impacted by “everything going on in the world”? Kendrick dryly responded, “Why? What happened?” She joked, “I did ayahuasca and the last of my life has just gone, but I hear the movie is amazing.”
Oh, Kendrick, she’s always got jokes.
Naturally TikTok users were confused by the question asked by the reporter. Many thought they were referencing the Lively and Baldoni legal battle. The legal battle has been at the center of the press since December and has had an impact on the publicity for Another Simple Favor. The premiere marks Lively’s first solo red carpet-event since the news came out.
The two have remained silent on the rumors since, but Feig denying them has put them to bed. At least, for some people. Some may think he did it to protect the reputation of the movie, but whatever the reason, it seems the rumors remain as speculation, at best.
