Amid rumors of frictions between Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick as they prepare for the release of 'Another Simple Favor,' a source insists the two actresses are not beefing.
- Feb 14, 2025
AceShowbiz - The much-awaited sequel to Paul Feig's 2018 hit, "A Simple Favor," is set to premiere at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas, on March 7, before streaming on Prime Video on May 1. However, the spotlight is currently on the off-screen drama involving one of its lead actresses, Blake Lively, due to her previous project "It Ends With Us".
Lively, 37, is embroiled in a heated legal battle with her "It Ends With Us" co-star and director, Justin Baldoni. The "Gossip Girl" alum accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and smear campaign, allegations he has vehemently denied while countersuing Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for $400 million.
This ongoing lawsuit has significantly impacted the hype surrounding "Another Simple Favor," and rumors claimed the controversy has caused frictions between Lively and co-star Anna Kendrick ahead of the press tour for the movie.
A source mentioned to PEOPLE that Kendrick is "not used to being caught up in any drama" and "the comments on Instagram have upset her, especially the ones saying fans are now refusing to watch the movie because they don't want to support Blake."
The pair was originally scheduled to do promotions together, but now there have been reports of Kendrick seeking to distance herself from Lively during promotional events "over fears she will get caught up in the drama." An insider told Daily Mail, "In fact, Anna is prepared to handle the promotion responsibilities alone."
Another rumor is brewing about an alleged clash between the two actresses over billing placement. "In the original film, Anna got top billing over Blake," said a soure. "She thought it was a no-brainer that the same would happen this time around. But Blake didn't see it that way. They fought through their reps, and finally, a deal was struck with equal billing."
Neither actress was reportedly thrilled with the outcome, but both accepted it.
However, a different source told PEOPLE, "There is no feud. The film is in the early stages of planning what press will look like, and Blake and Anna will be doing some things together."
