Director Paul Feig quickly shut down rumors of tension between Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick, 

responding to claims that the two actresses were feuding during the premiere of their sequel, Another Simple Favor, at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film & TV Festival. 

The rumors, sparked by YouTuber Melanie King, claimed that Blake Lively was allegedly hesitant to walk the red carpet because Kendrick was upset with her. 

Feig, however, was quick to clear up the speculation, taking to social media to directly refute the claims.

The drama began when King posted a selfie-style photo of Lively and Kendrick with their co-stars, Henry Golding and Michele Morrone, shortly before the red carpet event. 

The YouTuber wrote on X, “I just reported on Blake being terrified to walk the carpet as Anna is pissed and never wants to work with her again.” 

The message raised eyebrows and sparked widespread speculation about a rift between the two stars.

In a direct response, Feig, who directed both Another Simple Favor and its predecessor, A Simple Favor, took to X to quote the post, simply stating, “Um… you’re wrong.” This no-nonsense reply left little room for interpretation, effectively dismissing the rumors.

Feig’s swift response was backed by a source familiar with the situation, who confirmed that the director’s characterization was accurate, noting that there was no tension between Lively and Kendrick at the premiere. According to the source, “I think his quote says it all,” reinforcing that the allegations were baseless.

Despite the debunking of these rumors, the attention surrounding the actresses was heightened due to Lively’s ongoing legal battle with It Ends With Us director and co-star Justin Baldoni. Lively’s personal drama has been widely publicized, and fans have closely scrutinized her interactions with others, especially Kendrick, whom she had worked with on the original A Simple Favor movie.

During the premiere, Lively was asked by Entertainment Tonight about her experience working with Kendrick once again. She responded with enthusiasm, saying, “Oh, it’s the best. I’m so happy to be here.” Kendrick, on the other hand, took a more playful approach when questioned about her co-star, saying, “Oh, you know,” and avoiding a follow-up question that referenced the ongoing drama with Baldoni.

In an even more lighthearted moment, when asked by a Variety reporter about how the movie was being impacted by the events in the world, Kendrick jokingly responded, “Why, what happened? I did ayahuasca and the last year of my life is just gone.” With a smile, she added, “But I’ve heard the movie is a-mazing,” before blowing a kiss and walking away, clearly choosing to steer the conversation away from any personal drama.

As for Lively, she shared her excitement about returning for the Another Simple Favor sequel, revealing that director Paul Feig had thrown in a “curveball” idea just before shooting began. “It definitely upped the ante. It was very uncomfortable to watch in this theater with you all,” Lively said, teasing the new twists in the sequel without giving away too much. She also expressed how much she enjoys working with Kendrick, calling her a great collaborator, and spoke highly of the entire cast.

The premiere of Another Simple Favor was also a chance for Lively to celebrate her family life. Just weeks before the event, Lively had been involved in a high-profile legal battle with Baldoni, which began after she filed a $250 million lawsuit accusing him of sexual harassment during filming. Lively has also claimed that Baldoni launched a smear campaign against her after she spoke out about the alleged mistreatment. In response, Baldoni countersued, alleging defamation and extortion, with both parties vehemently denying each other’s allegations.

Despite the ongoing legal issues and media attention, Lively’s appearance at the SXSW premiere with Kendrick and their co-stars indicated that the professional relationship between the actresses remains strong. The red carpet moments, full of smiles and camaraderie, seemed to reflect their shared commitment to the film and their friendship, dispelling any rumors of on-set drama.

As for Feig, his swift dismissal of the feud rumors emphasized his belief that there was no truth to them, and that the focus should remain on the work being done by the talented team behind Another Simple Favor. With the premiere behind them, the filmmakers and cast are no doubt hoping to shift the narrative back to the exciting and entertaining project they’ve created, leaving the drama where it belongs—off the red carpet.

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