Tensions between Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively appear to have escalated behind the scenes of their upcoming movie Another Simple Favor, the sequel to their 2018 hit A Simple Favor.
According to insider reports, Kendrick is reportedly upset with Lively for not addressing how her ongoing legal battle is impacting the movie’s promotional efforts.
Lively, who is currently entangled in a legal dispute with her former co-star Justin Baldoni, allegedly failed to address the controversy with the cast and crew of the upcoming film.
In the lawsuit, Lively accuses Baldoni of sexual harassment and claims that he launched a smear campaign against her.
Baldoni, in turn, is countersuing Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, for $400 million.
All parties involved have denied the allegations, but the lawsuit has cast a shadow over the film’s promotional campaign.
Legal Issues Impacting the Movie’s Success
The drama surrounding Lively’s legal issues has raised concerns among the Another Simple Favor team, especially as the promotion for the film is already facing public backlash. A source close to the production revealed that there is “a gigantic pink elephant in the room” that no one seems to be acknowledging. “The backlash to initial promo has been brutal,” the source said, pointing out that protests and negative reactions have emerged, with some people even refusing to support the film due to Lively’s ongoing legal battles.
The insider went on to explain that Lively has yet to address the issue with the cast, and there has been no apology or acknowledgment of the negative impact on the movie. “She has stayed quiet and hidden away,” the source stated. “She owes Anna an apology. She owes them all an apology.” It seems that Kendrick, who reportedly finds the situation frustrating, feels that if she were in Lively’s position, she would have handled the situation differently by addressing the personal issues before they affected the film’s promotional efforts.
Top Billing Dispute Adds Fuel to the Fire
In addition to the legal drama, the actresses reportedly clashed over the film’s top billing. The initial negotiations between Kendrick and Lively over who would receive top billing were said to have caused tension. While Kendrick was expected to maintain her top billing status from the first film, Lively fought to be placed above her in the credits. After weeks of negotiations, both actresses agreed on a “staggered billing,” meaning Kendrick’s name would appear first, with Lively’s name placed above hers on the right-hand side. Despite this resolution, it’s clear that the feud over billing didn’t sit well with either party.
A second insider claimed that neither actress was “thrilled” with the outcome but agreed to it out of necessity. The source added that the two stars “knew they needed to come to an agreement,” though the situation remained tense.
Fan Reactions and Backlash
The growing tension between the actresses has not gone unnoticed by fans. As promotional materials for the film began circulating, many took to social media to voice their opinions on the situation. Some fans expressed sympathy for Kendrick, with one commenter saying, “I love you Anna, but I can’t stand Blake more. Will not be watching this movie.” Others expressed similar sentiments, with some promising to avoid the movie entirely due to Lively’s involvement. In contrast, Lively’s defenders have tried to downplay the tension, with director Paul Feig even defending her publicly, calling her “nothing but supportive and a dream to work with.”
As the backlash continues, sources have also mentioned that festival organizers for the SXSW Film and TV Festival, where Another Simple Favor is set to premiere in March, have discussed the possibility of forgoing a Q&A session or limiting questions to avoid focusing on Lively’s legal issues. There is concern that any discussion surrounding her ongoing legal troubles will overshadow the film’s release and impact its success.
Is the Film at Risk?
The drama surrounding Lively’s legal troubles and the behind-the-scenes tension between the actresses has left many wondering whether the movie will suffer at the box office. With the promotional campaign already facing significant challenges, both Lively and Kendrick are under pressure to keep the focus on the film and not personal controversies.
Despite the growing frustrations and negative comments, the film’s director, Paul Feig, has expressed his belief in the project and its success, insisting that Lively’s contributions to the film are invaluable. However, the continued focus on the legal drama and the apparent rift between the actresses may prove to be a major hurdle in the movie’s promotional journey.
In the end, whether Another Simple Favor will be able to overcome these challenges and generate the same buzz as its predecessor remains to be seen. What’s clear, however, is that tensions between the film’s stars have cast a long shadow over its release, and the public’s perception of both actresses could play a major role in the film’s success or failure.
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