Anna Kendrick may have fueled rumors of an ongoing feud with Blake Lively 

after she seemingly avoided addressing Lively’s high-profile legal dispute at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin. 

The Pitch Perfect actress, 39, attended the event alongside Lively to promote their upcoming Amazon Prime Video sequel, Another Simple Favor. 

However, speculation grew after Kendrick evaded a question regarding how the film had been impacted by recent controversies.

Lively is currently involved in a legal battle with her It Ends With Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni. 

The lawsuit, filed in December, alleges sexual assault and accuses Baldoni of launching a smear campaign against her. 

Reports have surfaced suggesting that Kendrick is frustrated by how the legal case is overshadowing the film’s release.

During a red carpet interview, Kendrick was asked about the movie’s connection to “everything going on in the world.” Rather than directly addressing the situation, she playfully dodged the question, joking, “Why, what happened? I did ayahuasca, and the last year of my life is just gone.” She then added, “But I’ve heard the movie is amazing,” before quickly exiting the conversation.

Tension at the Red Carpet

Kendrick and Lively attended the premiere together but notably did not pose for any solo pictures. The duo was seen in group photos, but director Paul Feig, known for Bridesmaids, was positioned between them, prompting further speculation about tension.

Feig, however, made it clear where his support lies. In an interview, he expressed admiration for Lively, saying, “Blake’s awesome. I love Blake. I love working with Anna, I love working with Blake, and that’s all I can say. She is a great collaborator.”

He went on to reflect on the experience of working with both actresses again after the success of A Simple Favor in 2018. “I had such a great experience on the first one. It always kind of stuck with me. God, I love working with the two of them, as well as the rest of the cast,” Feig shared.

Kendrick’s Awkward Reaction Fuels Feud Rumors

Later in the evening, Kendrick had another uncomfortable moment when asked about reuniting with Lively. A now-viral video captured a fan enthusiastically asking, “What does it mean to be working with Blake again?” Kendrick hesitated before vaguely responding, “Oh, you know…” She then shifted her attention to taking selfies with other attendees, avoiding further discussion.

Lively, on the other hand, had a much different response when asked about working with Kendrick. When approached by a fan with a similar question, she enthusiastically replied, “Oh, it’s the best! I’m so happy,” before continuing to greet attendees.

Body Language Sparks Speculation

Beyond their verbal exchanges, their body language at the premiere also caught attention. According to a body language expert, there appeared to be tension between the two stars. While Lively’s stance seemed more open and relaxed, Kendrick displayed gestures that suggested discomfort, such as holding her hand in front of her torso in a partial defensive posture.

“Blake’s lips are closed while Anna’s smile lacks the traits of real joy, like rounded cheeks or eye crinkling,” the expert noted, adding that Kendrick’s lack of direct eye contact with Lively during their stage discussion further fueled speculation of an ongoing rift.

The Growing Divide

The rumors of a behind-the-scenes feud aren’t new. Reports suggest Kendrick has been unhappy with the attention Lively’s lawsuit is bringing to the film. A source previously revealed that Kendrick was particularly upset over social media backlash, where some fans have stated they won’t watch the movie due to Lively’s legal issues.

“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 source shared, adding that Kendrick isn’t accustomed to being involved in industry drama.

Another insider noted that while both actresses agreed to participate in promotional events together, Kendrick may distance herself moving forward. “Last-minute talks are underway with execs as Anna would prefer to distance herself from Blake going forward,” they claimed.

Behind-the-Scenes Tensions

In addition to the legal controversy, reports indicate that Kendrick and Lively clashed over billing for Another Simple Favor. In the original 2018 film, Kendrick received top billing over Lively. However, for the sequel, Lively reportedly pushed to have her name placed above Kendrick’s.

After weeks of negotiations, a compromise was reached—Kendrick’s name appears first, while Lively’s name is placed higher on the right side, which is considered equal billing in the industry.

While both actresses remain committed to promoting the film, the tension between them remains apparent. As Another Simple Favor prepares for its May 1 release, fans will be watching closely to see how the dynamic between Kendrick and Lively unfolds in the coming weeks.

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