Another Simple Favor director Paul Feig is debunking speculation about Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick’s joint appearance at SXSW.
A YouTuber claimed via X on Friday, March 7, that Lively, 37, and Kendrick, 39, were allegedly uncomfortable jointly attending the Austin, Texas premiere of Another Simple Favor.
“I just reported on Blake being terrified to walk the carpet as Anna is pissed and never wants to work with her again,” the social media user claimed on Friday.
Feig, 62, swiftly shut down the accusation, replying via X, “Um … you’re wrong.”
How Anna Kendrick Dodged Blake Lively Qs at ‘Simple Favor 2’ Premiere
Lively and Kendrick costarred in Feig’s A Simple Favor, which came out in 2018. They recently filmed a sequel in Italy, debuting the first look during a Friday panel at SXSW.
Both actresses walked the red carpet solo before Lively told reporters that acting alongside Kendrick was “the best.” Kendrick, meanwhile, dodged answering similar questions about her costar.
After being asked what it was like to work with Lively, Kendrick coyly replied, “Oh, you know,” before trailing off and walking further down the carpet.
A source previously told Us Weekly that there was no bad blood between the women on the set of Another Simple Favor.
How Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick Are Handling ‘A Simple Favor 2’ Backlash
“There aren’t any issues between Blake and Anna right now,” the insider exclusively told Us in February, noting that both actresses “really love” the sequel and planned to “be doing press together.”
Per the source, Lively and Kendrick also “want fans to focus on the film and not any outside drama.”
During the SXSW event, Lively further gushed about making both Simple Favor movies with Kendrick.
“It worked out, so I was like, ‘OK, no nerves. I know what I’m doing this time,’” Lively said on Friday of returning for the sequel. “Right before we started shooting, [Paul] said, ‘I have, like, a little bit of a curveball idea.’ I’m not going to say what it was because, you know, we don’t want to give away anything. But it definitely upped the ante. It was very uncomfortable to watch in this theater with you all. … But, yeah, it was fun. It’s always fun getting to work with Anna again, obviously, and this incredible group of people is amazing.”
Lively’s appearance at SXSW was her second major public outing since her lawsuit against It Ends With Us costar Justin Baldoni — following her attendance at the SNL 50 anniversary taping last month. News broke in December 2024 that Lively sued Baldoni, 41, for alleged sexual harassment and fostering a “hostile work environment” on the set of It Ends With Us, which he also directed. Baldoni denied the allegations, later naming Lively in a $400 million defamation suit. Lively denounced his accusations.
