Director Paul Feig is firmly shutting down rumors that Blake Lively 

and Anna Kendrick had any issues or discomfort while promoting their latest project, Another Simple Favor, at SXSW. 

The speculation, which circulated after a post from YouTuber Melanie King, suggested a rift between the two actresses, 

with King claiming Lively was “terrified” to walk the carpet and Kendrick allegedly stating that she never wanted to work with Lively again. 

Feig, who directed both actresses in the 2018 hit A Simple Favor and its upcoming sequel, quickly addressed the unfounded gossip.

On March 8, Feig responded directly to the rumors on social media, writing, “Um … you’re wrong.” 

The director, who was in Austin, Texas, attending the premiere events with Lively, Kendrick, and the rest of the Another Simple Favor cast, made it clear that the relationship between the two actresses was far from strained. His dismissal of the claims followed a lively and warm day of interviews, fan interactions, and panel discussions during the 2025 SXSW Film & TV Festival.

At the premiere, both Lively and Kendrick seemed at ease as they shared their excitement about working together again. When asked about their reunion, Lively, 37, called it “the best,” while Kendrick, 39, simply responded with a casual, “Oh, you know,” as the two actresses greeted their fans. The moment underscored the positive dynamic between the stars, who, despite working on separate coasts, have remained close since their first collaboration.

The premiere event also featured a Q&A with Feig, where Lively and Kendrick were seen laughing and engaging with one another, clearly enjoying each other’s company. They reflected on their time filming Another Simple Favor, particularly the decision to shoot in Italy, which Feig referred to as one of his “curveball ideas” for the film. The sequel follows Kendrick’s character, Stephanie, and Lively’s character, Emily, as they travel to the picturesque island of Capri, Italy, for Emily’s wedding to a wealthy Italian businessman.

Kendrick, in a prior interview with PEOPLE, shared how enjoyable it was to reconnect with Lively. She remarked, “She lives on the East Coast, I live on the West Coast, so we don’t get to see each other often. But it was lovely, and I think those characters have such weird chemistry that it’s so fun to just get the gang back together.” The actress added that the reunion felt “a little bit like riding a bike,” emphasizing the ease and fun of working with Lively again.

Despite the rumors, sources close to the production have confirmed that there is no tension between Kendrick and Lively. A source told PEOPLE earlier this year, “There really is no drama or rift between them.” This sentiment was echoed by Feig, who expressed how much he enjoyed working with both actresses and the rest of the Another Simple Favor cast. Speaking on the red carpet at SXSW, Feig said, “It was too much fun. Too much fun. I mean, I had such a great experience on the first one. It always kind of stuck with me, like, ‘God, I love working with the two of them’ — as well as the rest of the cast.”

Feig went on to explain how excited he was to bring the two actresses back together for the sequel, noting how he sought to give them both new challenges and opportunities to shine while also maintaining the essence of what made the original film so successful. He also shared his dream of shooting in Capri, which became a reality during production. “It was a dream come true to get to figure that one out,” Feig added, highlighting the special connection he has with the project and its stars.

Lively’s appearance at the premiere marked her first major public event since her legal battle with It Ends with Us director Justin Baldoni began, though she made a public appearance at the SNL50 anniversary special in February alongside her husband, Ryan Reynolds. Lively has kept a relatively low profile in recent months, making her return to the spotlight for Another Simple Favor even more significant.

As for the film itself, Another Simple Favor has generated significant buzz, and the actresses’ undeniable chemistry and Feig’s direction are likely to make the sequel just as successful, if not more, than the original. With rumors now laid to rest, the focus can return to the excitement surrounding the film’s release and the bond between Lively and Kendrick, which continues to thrive both on and off-screen.

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