Rumors of a feud between Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick, co-stars of the 2018 thriller A Simple Favor, have been circulating for years. While neither actress has publicly addressed the alleged tensions, reports have provided intriguing details about their supposed clashes, professional challenges, and the eventual reunion for A Simple Favor 2. Let’s break it down step by step.
Did Taylor Swift Cause the Feud?
The alleged drama between Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick reportedly began with remarks Anna made about Blake’s longtime best friend, Taylor Swift. According to a years-old InTouch Weekly report, Anna’s “snarky” comments about Taylor rubbed Blake the wrong way, sparking tension on the set of A Simple Favor.
However, it’s worth noting that other reports have downplayed the rumors. Their co-star Henry Golding even dismissed the idea of any tension, stating during his appearance on Watch What Happens Live, “Definitely no friction that I noticed.”
Blake Lively’s “Mean Girl” Image: Did It Fuel the Rumors?
Blake Lively has often been entangled in Hollywood gossip, with some tabloids painting her as a “mean girl.” This summer, her name was again thrust into the spotlight due to her involvement in the big-screen adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s controversial book It Ends With Us. At the film’s New York premiere in August, Blake appeared distant from co-star and director Justin Baldoni, fueling rumors of friction between them.
This incident reignited discussions about her alleged feuds, including the one with Anna Kendrick. According to insiders, Blake has been actively trying to shed her “villain” image, focusing instead on maintaining professionalism and positive working relationships.
How Did Anna Kendrick Feel About Blake?
Anna Kendrick has rarely spoken about the rumored feud directly, but she did hint at differences between her and Blake in interviews. Speaking with PEOPLE about reuniting for A Simple Favor 2, Anna described the experience as “lovely.” She acknowledged that she and Blake don’t see each other often because they live on opposite coasts but emphasized the joy of working together again.
“She lives on the East Coast, I live on the West Coast, so we don’t get to see each other often,” Anna said. “But it was lovely, and I think that those characters have such weird chemistry that it’s so fun to just get the gang back together. And it does feel a little bit like riding a bike.”
What Happened on the Set of A Simple Favor 2?
Despite the rumors, production for A Simple Favor 2 went smoothly. Directed once again by Paul Feig, the sequel was filmed in Europe earlier this year, with locations including Rome and Capri. Anna teased the sequel during her PEOPLE interview, calling it “nuts” and describing it as even darker and more twisty than the original.
“It’s one of those things where on paper you’re like, ‘This is absolutely nuts. What are we doing?’ And then suddenly Paul is there in a three-piece suit and Blake’s there, and even the [director of photography] was back, and it felt like, ‘Okay, we’re doing this very weird sort of risky, very twisty, plot-heavy movie,’” Anna shared.
She also praised Feig for his classy demeanor, saying he was treated like royalty in Capri. “Everywhere we went, people were like, ‘Paulino.’ I was like, ‘Oh my God, are you the mayor or something? What’s happening?’”
Have Blake and Anna Buried the Hatchet?
Sources close to the production have suggested that Blake and Anna have moved past any alleged personality differences. A report from Life & Style claimed that the actresses managed to put aside their differences for the sake of the sequel.
While Blake has reportedly made efforts to distance herself from any “mean girl” narrative, Anna also seems to have embraced the opportunity to work together again. The positive remarks from both actresses about their time on set indicate that any past drama—if it ever existed—is firmly behind them.
What’s Next for Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick?
Blake Lively continues to dominate headlines with her work on It Ends With Us, which has been described as the biggest project of her career. However, the future of the film’s sequel remains uncertain, as Justin Baldoni has expressed hesitations about directing the follow-up. Meanwhile, reports suggest that Blake’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, is willing to invest millions to secure her future with the franchise.
Anna Kendrick, on the other hand, has expanded her creative horizons by stepping into directing. Her Netflix true-crime drama Woman of the Hour, which tells the chilling story of serial killer Rodney Alcala, has been earning buzz for its tense and emotional storytelling.
Are the Feud Rumors Finally Over?
While the rumors of a feud between Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick added an extra layer of intrigue to A Simple Favor, the actresses have shown professionalism and maturity by reuniting for the sequel. With their on-screen chemistry intact and mutual respect evident in recent interviews, it seems safe to say that any supposed drama is a thing of the past.
For fans, the real highlight is that Blake and Anna are back together in A Simple Favor 2, ready to deliver another dark, twisty, and unforgettable chapter in the story of Emily and Stephanie.
