Director of Another Simple Favor addresses rumors about tension between Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick

Director Paul Feig tried to shut down any claims of tension between stars Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick at SXSW Film Festival.

When a YouTube star claimed on X that Lively was ‘terrified to walk the red carpet’ with Kendrick at the Another Simple Favor premiere on Friday,  Feig quickly and concisely quashed the allegation, replying simply, ‘Um … you’re wrong.’

In an interview with People, the DGA Award winner, 62, said making the film ‘was 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”‘ he said.

At the premiere, both actresses walked the red carpet separately, as is the usual practice.

When asked about working with Kendrick, 39, again, Lively, 37, described her co-star as ‘the best.’. 

Director Paul Feig tried to shut down any claims of tension between stars Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick at SXSW Film Festival, denying a YouTuber’s claim Blake Lively was ‘terrified’ to walk the red carpet with a three word answer, ‘Um … you’re wrong’  (Pictured in Austin, TX on Friday)

However, when Entertainment Tonight asked Kendrick a similar question,  she refused to get involved in any drama resulting from the lawsuits filed by Lively and her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni, answering with a cryptic ‘ Oh, you know…’ before walking away to take a selfie with a fan. 

In a red carpet interview with Variety, Kendrick feigned ignorance about the controversy. “Why? What happened?” she asked before, adding, ‘I did ayahuasca and the last year of my life has been gone.’

Turning to the backdrop said, ‘But I hear the movie is amazing.’ 

Kendrick was praised for her diplomacy by a follower on social media. 

‘The seriousness of someone who doesn’t get involved in controversy and shines through their own talent,’ a fan wrote next to a photo from the premiere.

Others indicated the movie, which was scheduled to debut on Amazon’s streaming service May 1, could have a hard time attracting viewers due to the divisiveness of the dueling lawsuits.

‘You are a consummate professional who is not afraid to speak the truth, even if it’s something you can’t outright address,’ wrote one follower, adding, ‘I am excited for the movie, but want the world to know that if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be seeing it.’

The dark comedy received a warm welcome, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Feig, 62, said making the sequel to 2018’s A Simple Favor with Lively and Kendrick ‘was 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”‘ he told People   (Pictured in Austin, TX on Friday)

When asked about working with Kendrick, again, Lively, 37, described her co-star as ‘the best’   (Pictured in Austin, TX on Friday)

When asked about the controversy regarding the dueling lawsuits between Lively and her It Ends with Us director and co-star Justin Baldoni, Kendrick decided to steer clear  telling Variety ‘I did ayahuasca and the last year of my life has been gone’   (Pictured in Austin, TX on Friday)

Another Simple Favor received a warm welcome from the SXSW audience, according to The Hollywood Reporter.  The dark comedy was scheduled to begin streaming on Amazon/Prime May 1

In panel discussion after the screening Lively said her character, Emily, was ‘My favorite character I have ever been fortunate enough to play.’

Another Simple Favor reunites Emily and Kendrick’s Stephanie Smothers from the hit 2018 film.

This time, they are traveling to Italy for Emily’s wedding to a wealthy Italian businessman. 

Somehow, amidst all the wedding preparations, murder and betrayal are also on the ‘to do’ list.