Blake Lively and Cast Share Insights on ‘Another Simple Favor’ and Legal Drama

AUSTIN, Texas — Blake Lively and her costar Anna Kendrick recently spoke about their experiences filming the sequel, “Another Simple Favor,” which premiered amid legal troubles involving Lively and director Justin Baldoni.

During an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, actor Justin Newell, who also stars in the film, expressed his excitement about working alongside such esteemed colleagues. “I thoroughly had a good time,” said Newell, 32. “It was a really good time to be in Italy filming with all these great people and Paul Feig, our fearless leader and director. He treated us all with respect to do what we felt and let us have fun while filming.”

The trailer for “Another Simple Favor,” released on February 26, showcases Lively’s character Emily Nelson seeking revenge in a story that follows Kendrick’s Stephanie Smothers. The sequel builds upon the events of the first film, directed by Feig in 2018, that saw Smothers trying to unravel the mystery behind her friend’s disappearance.

Newell, who made his film debut in this high-profile project, emphasized the camaraderie among the cast, noting, “The cast and crew wasted no time bonding. Paul took us on a boat to a restaurant on an off day, and we had the time of our lives.”

Despite the excitement surrounding the film, Lively’s involvement in a lawsuit against Baldoni adds a layer of controversy. Lively, 37, filed a lawsuit in December 2024 claiming a toxic work environment and sexual harassment. Baldoni, 41, has denied the allegations and has filed counter-lawsuits against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, as well as The New York Times, which published Lively’s complaint.

At SXSW, Lively acknowledged her fans during the film’s opening night, expressing her gratitude on Instagram: “Making this movie was already the gift, and every element of it to share with you all felt amazing. Thank you for having us, Austin.” She chose not to comment on her legal situation during the event.

Anna Kendrick, meanwhile, offered a light-hearted remark when asked about the state of the film following recent events. “I did ayahuasca and the last year of my life has been gone. But I hear the movie is amazing,” Kendrick told Variety.

A trial date concerning Lively’s legal battle with Baldoni has been set for March 2026.