Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick dazzled audiences in 2018’s dark comedy-thriller A Simple Favor, playing polar-opposite women who develop an intense and complex friendship. Their onscreen chemistry sparked admiration—and curiosity. Could that energy have been real? Or was it all just movie magic?
In the years since the film’s release, fans have followed the actresses’ interactions closely, especially amid speculation that the co-stars may not be quite so close when the cameras stop rolling. Now, with the sequel to A Simple Favor on the way, many are wondering: What is the truth behind Blake and Anna’s real-life relationship?
From Co-Stars to “Enemies”? Where the Rumors Began
The rumors surrounding Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick’s relationship gained traction in 2021, when a source from the A Simple Favor set alleged to the Celebrity Memoir Book Club podcast that the two “hated each other.” The claims, as reported by StyleCaster, were unconfirmed but caught fire online, especially after a TikTok clip recirculated the rumor that their press tours had to be scheduled separately to avoid any tension.
A few years earlier, in 2018, Kendrick made a cheeky comment while promoting the film, joking that she had met Lively through Ryan Reynolds and saying, “I thought she seemed nice. And little did I know…” The dry delivery, typical of Kendrick’s humor, was quickly dissected by fans who wondered whether it was more than just a playful jab.
The tension appeared to be all speculation—until both stars reunited for the upcoming sequel.
Anna Kendrick Clears the Air
In October 2024, Anna Kendrick addressed the swirling rumors in an interview with People magazine while promoting A Simple Favor 2. When asked how it felt to reunite with Lively for the follow-up film, Kendrick responded with grace and familiarity:
“It was lovely. And it does feel a little bit like riding a bike.”
The comment surprised fans who believed the long-standing narrative that there was bad blood between the two stars. Kendrick’s tone was calm and upbeat, offering no hint of the drama that tabloids had latched onto in prior years.
Director Paul Feig Sets the Record Straight
Adding further clarity was Paul Feig, the director of A Simple Favor and its sequel. When a fan on X (formerly Twitter) speculated that Lively skipped a red carpet event to avoid Kendrick, Feig directly responded:
“You’re wrong.”
His simple but definitive statement aligned with the film’s promotional efforts, where both actresses have appeared supportive of the project and excited for its return.
Feig has worked closely with both women across two films and, by all accounts, sees no validity in the feud rumors. If anything, his comment confirmed what insiders have quietly maintained—the drama was more fiction than fact.
A Complicated Legacy of Online Speculation
In an industry where fan theories and internet rumors can often snowball into “fact,” it’s not uncommon for co-stars—especially female ones—to be portrayed as rivals. Lively and Kendrick’s seemingly cool public dynamic was enough for some to run with the narrative that the actresses didn’t get along.
But the reality may simply be that they’re professionally cordial, and not best friends—which is perfectly normal.
Neither Lively nor Kendrick has fueled the fire by directly insulting or addressing each other with hostility. Instead, both have kept their focus on the work, letting their performances speak louder than the gossip.
What’s Next for the Duo?
With A Simple Favor 2 officially in the works, the spotlight is once again on Blake and Anna. While their personal relationship may never become the Hollywood BFF fairytale some fans hoped for, what’s clear is that their professional collaboration remains strong.
Their return to these wildly entertaining characters is a reminder that great storytelling doesn’t require real-life friendship—it just needs two committed, talented actors willing to bring their best to the screen.
And if their reunion interviews and red carpet appearances are any indication, the mutual respect between the two stars remains intact.
