Over the summer, Blake Lively premiered her latest film, It Ends With Us, which led to controversy over the way she promoted its release. As she’s now in an ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni, she has a brand-new film coming out soon, the sequel to 2018’s A Simple Favor.
Since the announcement that the sequel would premiere at the upcoming SXSW Festival, the reception from fans wasn’t as exciting as expected. Prime Video is officially sending the movie straight to streaming after the festival, but that doesn’t stop fans from talking. In a now-deleted comment on Instagram on A Simple Favor star Henry Goulding’s post promoting Another Simple Favor, an assistant director from the first installment revealed she allegedly quit because of Blake Lively’s treatment.
Following the backlash Lively received this summer after a resurfaced interview with Norwegian journalist Kjersti Flaa during a 2016 interview to promote Woody Allen’s Café Society, another person came out to speak against Lively’s behind-the-scenes behavior. Barbara Szeman, who worked as an assistant director on A Simple Favor, according to IMDb, replied to Golding’s post on the sequel.
“I worked with you on the first one,” the now-deleted comment read. “My experience with everyone was absolutely amazing, except for a certain someone who is the reason I quit being an AD.” The message continues, “Guess who that person is… I wish you all the best with this though!”
Following the support in the comments, the same person added, “Thanks for the kindness. I want to avoid attention around this but I will say she was cruel to many,” Szeman added. “I know I cried my way home many nights because you try so hard to please someone who is never pleased and puts you down constantly.”
The message ended, “I can’t believe it’s actually getting back at her,” she highlighted, referring to the ongoing backlash and legal battle with It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni. “Karma is real.”
The comment section shows support for Golding, as well as A Simple Favor star Anna Kendrick, but highlights that they won’t support the movie. “HENRY I love you but we need the Crazy Rich Asians sequel, not this!” wrote one fan. “Sorry buddy. It’s not your fault that Blake is in this but I’m going to have to help this one tank,” added another.
The film’s director, Paul Feig, who is returning to direct the sequel as well, wrote, “Love you too, pal. I can’t wait for people see how awesome you are in this film! Xoxox!!!” Feig has constantly shown support for Lively since her allegations of sexual harassment, including clarifying that there is no feud between her and co-star Anna Kendrick, and that she didn’t edit the cut of Another Simple Favor.
Anna Kendrick Is Reportedly Upset by the Ongoing Drama
Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively were alleged to have a feud during the production of the 2018 thriller based on Darcey Bell’s 2017 novel. The two seemed to be tense during the film’s press junket but their respective teams have denied the two didn’t get along. Now, a new source notes Kendrick wasn’t expecting the negative reaction to the movie.
A source told People that the Academy Award-nominated actress is “not used to being caught up in any drama.” They continued, “The comments on Instagram have upset her, especially the ones saying fans are now refusing to watch the movie because they don’t want to support Blake.”
A different insider highlighted that there “really is no drama or rift” between Kendrick and Lively. Yet another source notes, “There is no feud. The film is in the early stages of planning what press will look like, and Blake and Anna will be doing some things together.”
Another Simple Favor is set to open the South by Southwest Festival on Mar. 7, and go straight to streaming on May 1 on Prime Video.
