Blake Lively’s A Simple Favor director has responded to rumors that the sequel has been shelved due to her spiraling feud with Justin Baldoni.
The actress, 37, is embroiled in a bitter legal battle with her It Ends With Us costar and director Baldoni, 40, after she accused him of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment while filming the Colleen Hoover movie.
Baldoni has filed a defamation lawsuit against the New York Times, which reported Lively’s initial complaint, and his attorney has stated that he also plans to counter Lively himself.
As Baldoni’s career has imploded, Lively – whose husband is Hollywood mogul Ryan Reynolds – has seen former colleagues speak out publicly in her favor.
Nevertheless, this week on
However, Paul Feig, the director of both A Simple Favor and its sequel, has firmly denied the claim, dismissing it as “total BS,” assuring fans that the film is “finished and coming out soon.”
Blake Lively’s A Simple Favor director has responded to rumors that the sequel is shelved amid her legal battle with Justin Baldoni; Lively and Anna Kendrick pictured on a poster for the first film
Paul Feig, the director of both A Simple Favor and its sequel, has firmly denied the claim, which he dismissed as “total BS,” and assured fans that the film is “finished and coming out soon.”
The first film, released in 2018, starred Anna Kendrick as a vlogger who launches an investigation when her glamorous friend, played by Lively, disappears.
A Simple Favor was a success at the box office and with critics, and in 2022 news broke of a sequel that ultimately wrapped production last May.
However, Feig found himself on social media this week denying claims that the film’s release had been jeopardized.
The filmmaker quoted a thread from
Eric B claimed: ‘Despite the favorable test screenings, Blake Lively’s refusal to be promoted – amid her messy legal battle with Justin Baldoni – and growing tensions with Anna Kendrick have derailed the sequel.’
Responding to the claims, Feig, who also directed Bridesmaids and the female-directed reboot of Ghostbusters, wrote: “This is total bullshit. Sorry. The film is ready and will be released soon. Nowadays, don’t believe anything you read on social media.’
However, Eric B, who posted the first thread, was undeterred and fired back: “Hi Paul, if my story is ‘false’ can you clarify why Amazon hasn’t set a release date for a movie coming out in April 2024? Why are there no promotional plans yet? Saying it’s coming out soon doesn’t really address the delays or concerns. I’d love to hear more!’
“My friend,” Feig wrote, “it’s called post-production, which generally takes at least half a year if you take into account the editing, the music, special effects, sound mixing, subtitling and all the technical quality control that needs to be done . .
The first film, released in 2018, cast Anna Kendrick as a vlogger who launches an investigation when her glamorous friend, played by Lively, disappears
Feig took to social media this week to deny claims that the film’s release had been jeopardized
“Our posting schedule always meant we had everything ready by mid-January. Movies don’t come out as soon as they’re ready because the studio has spent the past year determining the best date to release the movie. We always have something planned for the spring/summer of this year. That’s how movies work. I hope this helps.’
The exchange came after Lively was accused of hitting an “unforgivable low” after Baldoni’s team received legal documents while some of them were trying to save their homes from the apocalyptic Los Angeles wildfires.
On Wednesday, she returned to social media for the first time since filing her bombshell lawsuit last month to share resources with those affected by the devastating fires that ravaged the Pacific Palisades and surrounding areas.
But her concerns were condemned by sources close to Baldoni, who were reportedly preparing to evacuate when they received a new complaint.
“It is beyond despicable that Blake Lively’s team sent law enforcement officers to the noticeably damaged homes of Justin Baldoni’s team as they prepared to evacuate with a young child inside on the same day as one of the greatest tragedies to ever hit Los Angeles.” has been through,” a source told DailyMail.com exclusively.
They claim it ‘contained no new information’ since last week’s filing.
Blake Lively has been accused of hitting an ‘unforgivable low’ after Baldoni’s team received legal documents as they tried to save their homes from the Los Angeles wildfires
The actress, 37, is embroiled in a bitter legal battle with her It Ends With Us costar Baldoni, 40, after she accused him of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment.
“This desperate act of ego and privilege is even more heinous in light of recent events in LA,” they continued.
“The defendants in her lawsuit and their legal team have lost homes, been forced to evacuate, and yet still have to fight for their livelihoods and reputations against these selfish people.
“Certainly a new, unforgivable low for Ms. Lively.”
The insider said members of the team, who have also received death threats from fans in the wake of Lively’s filing, received visitors on January 7 and 8.
A spokesperson for Lively emphasized that they have “suspended all attempts to provide service” due to the ongoing emergency.
“We have been trying to serve all defendants since late last year,” they said in a statement to DailyMail.com.
‘This is a standard part of all legal proceedings – and required by law. We have suspended all service attempts until the LA emergency has passed.”
Lively was among a slew of celebrities who wanted to share helpful information with those in need as the catastrophic fire earlier this week forced the evacuation of 180,000 people, destroyed more than 10,000 buildings and left about 400,000 customers without power statewide.
On Wednesday, the Gossip Girl star shared two Instagram stories with some helpful resources for those affected by the devastating fires that have been raging all week.
But her concerns were condemned by sources close to Baldoni, who were reportedly preparing to evacuate when they received a new complaint.
“To everyone affected by the fires in Los Angeles…” Lively wrote in an Instagram post highlighting the work of the volunteer team Mutual Aid LA Network.
Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, 48, live primarily in Pound Ridge, New York, with their four children: James, 10, Inez, eight, Betty, five, and Olin, one.
The post marked nearly three weeks since she filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department on December 20.
A lawsuit followed on New Year’s Eve, in which she doubled down on her claims that Baldoni had sexually harassed her and launched a campaign of retaliation against her.
The same day, Baldoni launched a $250 million defamation action against the New York Times over its bombastic report on Lively’s initial complaint and the publication’s claim that Baldoni is responsible for orchestrating a PR campaign to “bury” Lively .
Lively claims that Baldoni, who directed the summer film, improvised unwanted kisses during filming, often spoke about his pornography addiction and sexual encounters, made comments about her weight and entered her trailer while undressing and breastfeeding her youngest child.
In his response, Baldoni, who vehemently denied the accusations, claimed that the actress had undermined him during the filming, edited the final version and tried to ban him from the film’s premiere.
His lawyers are preparing to file a complaint against Lively.
“It is extremely despicable that Blake Lively’s team sent court personnel to the noticeably damaged homes of Justin Baldoni’s team as they prepared to evacuate,” the source said.
A spokesperson for Lively emphasized that they have “suspended all attempts to provide service” due to the ongoing emergency
The actress claimed in her lawsuit that Baldoni and her team’s alleged smear campaign caused her to suffer “financial damages” that “continue to this day.”
She claims that her hair care brand, Blake Brown, and her two drinks ranges, Betty Buzz and Betty Booze, both suffered huge sales losses as a result of the setback she suffered.
It ends with us follows Lily Bloom, played by Lively, who becomes involved in an abusive relationship with Ryle Kincaid, played by Baldoni, who also directed the film.
Lively was widely criticized for not addressing the domestic violence storyline while promoting the film in interviews, instead choosing to tell fans to “grab your friends, carry your flowers and go out and to see the film.’
Baldoni was dropped by his agency William Morris Endeavor after the allegations.