Director Paul Feig has come to the defense of actresses Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick following a controversial claim made by YouTuber Melanie King. During a recent joint appearance at the SXSW film festival, King suggested that Lively appeared “terrified” and Kendrick looked “pissed” during the film's premiere in Austin, Texas. In response, Feig firmly stated on X, “Um … you’re wrong,” dismissing the YouTuber's observations.
The remarks from King included an assertion that Kendrick “never wants to work with Lively again.” In light of these claims, representatives for both Lively and Kendrick were contacted by Page Six, but there was no immediate response from either party. Feig's defense of the two actresses came after they were questioned about the possibility of reuniting for another project seven years after their initial collaboration in A Simple Favor.
During an interview with a reporter from Entertainment Tonight, Kendrick was asked, “Anna, what does it mean to be working with Blake again?” Her somewhat vague response, “Oh, you know…” sparked further speculation, but Lively’s remarks were far more enthusiastic. In a separate clip shared by the same outlet, Lively, upon being asked about their onscreen reunion, expressed her excitement saying, “Oh, it’s the best! I’m so happy to be here.”
Despite the swirling rumors regarding their discomfort at the film’s premiere, both Lively and Kendrick posed for photos together on the red carpet alongside Feig, who is 62 years old. Lively, now 37, looked stunning in a strapless Renée Masoomian latex dress adorned with black accents. Kendrick, aged 39, opted for a striking black LaQuan Smith pantsuit featuring a plunging corset that showcased her style.
Inside the theater during the film's screening, Kendrick was spotted sitting in the row directly in front of Lively. An eyewitness reported to Page Six that although the two actresses were seated apart, they stood together during the Q&A session with the rest of the cast. The insider revealed that Lively reiterated her positive sentiments about working with Kendrick, describing it as “amazing.”
The reunion at the premiere of Another Simple Favor comes on the heels of a significant legal battle for Lively. Just over two months prior, she filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against her director for It Ends with Us, Justin Baldoni. The 41-year-old Baldoni has vehemently denied all allegations, including claims of orchestrating a smear campaign against Lively. In response, he filed a $400 million defamation and extortion lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist Leslie Sloane. Additionally, Baldoni has initiated a $250 million libel suit against the New York Times regarding their coverage of the allegations.
