Blake Lively's return to the big screen follows a high-profile legal battle with It Ends with Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni.
The two are embroiled in a public feud, with Lively accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment, while Baldoni counters with claims regarding creative control and differing cuts of the film. The ongoing dispute has attracted public scrutiny, and a judge has reprimanded both for litigating in the public eye.
Despite this, Lively’s first project since the controversy is Another Simple Favor, the sequel to the 2018 hit A Simple Favor. Directed by Paul Feig, the sequel sees Lively reunite with Anna Kendrick, despite their characters' tumultuous relationship in the first film, which ended with Kendrick's character sending Lively's character to prison.
Another Simple Favor takes the duo to Italy, where Kendrick's character, Stephanie, is invited to Lively’s character Emily's wedding after writing a book about the events of the first film. The narrative also suggests that Emily, who had been imprisoned, may be seeking revenge on Stephanie. Feig has publicly defended Lively amid the controversy, reassuring fans that Another Simple Favor will showcase his creative vision. “Blake has been nothing but supportive and a dream to work with,” Feig said, expressing admiration for Lively’s collaborative spirit.
The film, which also stars Henry Golding, Andrew Rannells, and others from the original, will make its world premiere at SXSW in March before arriving on Prime Video on May 1, 2025. Another Simple Favor will be available for streaming, following the success of its predecessor, which grossed $97.6 million globally. Feig expressed excitement for the sequel, emphasizing that many viewers have yet to discover the original, and now they will have the chance to do so.
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