The 37-year-old actress was joined by her co-star Anna Kendrick and director Paul Feig, reuniting the trio behind the 2018 hit A Simple Favor.

The premiere comes as Lively remains embroiled in a legal battle with Justin Baldoni, her co-director and co-star in the upcoming film It Ends With Us.

The dispute between Lively and Baldoni, 41, has been making headlines. In December 2024, Lively filed a lawsuit accusing Baldoni and others of sexual harassment and launching a retaliatory smear campaign, claims he has denied. Baldoni later countersued Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist in January, alleging defamation and extortion.

In A Simple Favor 2, set to stream on Prime Video starting May 1, Lively returns as Emily, a character who, after being released from prison, invites her frenemy Stephanie (played by Kendrick) to be her maid of honor at a luxurious wedding in Capri, Italy.

The film promises a blend of glamour, suspense, and unexpected twists, with the synopsis hinting, “Murder and betrayal are on the guest list for a wedding filled with more surprises than the winding road from Marina Grande to Capri’s town square.” The ensemble cast also includes Andrew Rannells, Bashir Salahuddin, Elizabeth Perkins, Michele Morrone, Alex Newell, Henry Golding, and Allison Janney.

Throughout the legal turmoil, director Paul Feig, 62, has been a vocal supporter of Lively. In December, he took to social media to praise her, writing, “Having worked with Blake on two films, I can say she’s one of the most professional, creative, collaborative, talented, and kind people I’ve ever worked with.”

He doubled down on his support in February, responding to an Instagram comment questioning whether the film was “Paul Feig’s cut or Blake’s cut” by clarifying, “It’s my cut. There is no other cut. Blake has been nothing but supportive and a dream to work with. She’s an amazing collaborator, and I’m her biggest fan.”

Meanwhile, Brandon Sklenar, Lively’s co-star in It Ends With Us and Feig’s collaborator on the upcoming adaptation of The Housemaid, is also making waves at SXSW with his thriller Drop, which premiered on February 9.

At the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscars Party on March 2, Sklenar addressed the legal situation, calling it a “tough situation” and urging people to focus on the message of It Ends With Us. “I hope everyone remembers what the movie is about and why we made it,” he told a source. “It’s about love, supporting women, and helping people through difficult times.”

As the legal battle continues, Lively remains focused on her career, balancing her professional projects with the personal challenges she’s facing.

The post “Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick Return for A Simple Favor 2 While Legal Feud Takes Center Stage” first appeared on Hollywood All.

The ongoing legal feud between It Ends With Us co-stars Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively has captivated the public and media alike, with new developments emerging almost daily.

The high-profile case, which began when Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni in December 2024 alleging se*ual harassment and reputational damage, has since spiraled into a complex legal battle involving counterclaims, defamation suits, and intense media scrutiny.

Now, in a surprising twist, a federal judge has granted the public and media access to an upcoming pre-trial hearing, further fueling the frenzy surrounding the case.

The lawsuit first made headlines following an explosive report by The New York Times, which detailed Lively’s allegations against Baldoni. The actor and director quickly responded by filing a defamation lawsuit against the publication, accusing it of biased reporting.

He also countersued Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and others, claiming they orchestrated a smear campaign against him. Since then, the case has become a media spectacle, with both parties’ legal teams frequently making public statements, often criticizing the opposing side and adding fuel to the fire.

The public’s fascination with the case has only grown, with social media users and tabloids dissecting every detail.

Allegations and rumors about Lively, Reynolds, and Baldoni have flooded the internet, ranging from career-related gossip to unfounded claims about their personal lives.

The legal battle between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively continues to captivate public attention as new developments unfold.

Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni in December 2024, alleging se*ual harassment and reputational damage, which Baldoni countered with defamation claims and a countersuit.

The case has sparked intense media scrutiny, with both sides making public statements and Baldoni even launching a website to present his evidence. A federal judge warned against fueling the media frenz, but recently granted public audio access to an upcoming pre-trial hearing on March 6, 2025—a rare move for federal court.

While this has drawn comparisons to the AmberHeard- Johnnyy Depp trial, the main trial, set for 2026, will likely remain private.

The case has become a cultural flashpoint, raising questions about accountability and power dynamics in Hollywood, with public interest showing no signs of fading.

The post “Baldoni-Lively Trial Echoes Depp-Heard Case with Audio-Only Public Access” first appeared on Hollywood All.