In the glittering world of Hollywood, where publicists, parties, and performances often blur the line between reality and fiction, a much-talked-about feud is brewing between Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick. The two starred together in the hit 2018 film A Simple Favor, playing characters caught up in a glamorous web of secrets and lies. However, what’s happening off-screen between the two actresses might be more than just the on-screen tension they played so well.

Are Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick actually frenemies? Or is there more going on behind closed doors than the public knows? Let’s break down the drama that’s been simmering ever since the sequel to A Simple Favor was announced.

The Magic of A Simple Favor vs. the Reality of the Feud

In 2018, Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick were the dynamic duo that fans adored in A Simple Favor. Their chemistry on screen was undeniable, as they played two women whose friendship quickly became a complicated and dangerous game of deceit. But it seems that life might just be imitating art, and the two actresses’ off-screen relationship may have more in common with their characters’ shady dynamic than we initially thought.

Fast forward to 2025, and Blake and Anna are reuniting for the sequel to the popular thriller. But instead of excitement and camaraderie surrounding the return of their characters, the public is buzzing with rumors of awkward tension between the two stars. The question on everyone’s lips: What’s REALLY going on between them?

Anna Kendrick’s Awkward Response: Is She Hiding Something?

The spark for the recent rumors came when Anna Kendrick was asked at the SXSW premiere for the A Simple Favor sequel how she felt about working with Blake again. Her response was short and decidedly lukewarm: “You know, it’s fine.” Three words. No excitement. No glowing praise for her co-star. Just a cold answer that set the internet ablaze with speculation.

Fans immediately picked up on the awkwardness, asking, “Is this how you answer about your best friend?” It wasn’t exactly the bubbly, enthusiastic answer we’d expect from a Hollywood star excited to reunite with a former co-star. Instead, it seemed more like an uncomfortable acknowledgment of a strained relationship.

The response didn’t sit well with the public. “This is the kind of reaction you give when you’re forced to pretend to like someone,” one fan tweeted. Others questioned Anna’s genuine feelings, wondering if something deeper was at play between the two women.

Blake Lively’s PR Spin: Is She Playing the Role of the ‘Perfect Co-Star’?

Enter Blake Lively—who, unlike Anna, seemed to be playing the role of the perfect co-star. She was all smiles when discussing her reunion with Anna, calling it “the best” and “so much fun.” It almost sounded too rehearsed. Was Blake just trying to put on a good face for the press? Or was she genuinely excited to work with Anna again?

The contrast in their responses couldn’t be more glaring. Where Anna offered a cold, indifferent remark, Blake appeared to be trying to overcompensate by being overly enthusiastic. The public immediately sensed the imbalance.

It’s almost as if Hollywood PR tactics were at play here, with Blake putting on a show of friendliness while Anna’s true feelings were left unsaid. Could there be something more to this than just a surface-level professional relationship?

The Director’s Comments: Attempting to Defuse the Situation?

In the midst of the growing awkwardness, A Simple Favor director Paul Feig tried to downplay the tension between his two lead actresses. “They’re not best friends, but they just have a natural chemistry,” Paul said, attempting to ease the speculation and steer the conversation toward the success of their performances.

While Paul’s comments might have been well-intentioned, they didn’t exactly quell the suspicions. In fact, many fans and media outlets were even more intrigued. Was Paul’s comment an attempt to cover up what’s really going on between Blake and Anna? Or is it simply the case that the two women have a complicated professional dynamic that doesn’t necessarily translate to personal friendship?

The Drama with It Ends with Us: A Whole New Level of Hollywood Chaos

While the brewing tension between Blake and Anna was already generating headlines, things took an even more dramatic turn with the controversy surrounding Blake Lively’s other film project, It Ends with Us. In this case, Blake found herself embroiled in a legal battle with the film’s director Justin Baldoni.

Blake accused Baldoni of misconduct on set, claiming that he made inappropriate comments and forced a romantic scene that crossed the line. But here’s where it gets juicy: Baldoni fired back with a massive $400 million lawsuit, claiming Blake used her celebrity connections, namely her husband Ryan Reynolds and her close friend Taylor Swift, to pressure him into agreeing to a dramatic rewrite of the script.

In text messages that were leaked as part of the lawsuit, Blake referred to herself as a “mother of dragons,” invoking her powerful friends—Ryan Reynolds and Taylor Swift—as her “dragons”. The text messages were a shocking revelation, suggesting that Blake wasn’t just relying on her acting talent to get things done but also leveraging her A-list connections to influence the project. The way she described her relationship with Ryan and Taylor raised eyebrows across the internet, with some fans accusing her of manipulating the situation to her advantage.

The Fallout: How This Drama Is Impacting Blake and Anna

So, what does all of this mean for Blake and Anna’s relationship? Is the awkward energy between the two actresses just classic Hollywood tension? Or is there more going on behind the scenes that fans aren’t privy to? With the legal drama surrounding Blake’s film projects and the uncomfortable public exchanges between her and Anna, it’s clear that tensions are rising in Hollywood’s most unlikely feud.

Some fans have taken sides, defending Blake and her powerful connections, while others are turning against her, accusing her of using Ryan Reynolds and Taylor Swift as pawns to get what she wants. Anna Kendrick, on the other hand, remains largely silent on the matter, further fueling the speculation.

But one thing’s for sure: the drama is far from over, and it seems that this feud might be the next big Hollywood scandal everyone will be talking about.

Conclusion: Is This Just Another Hollywood Feud or the Real Deal?

As Blake and Anna continue their press tour for the A Simple Favor sequel, the awkward tension between them shows no signs of disappearing. Fans are eager for answers—what’s REALLY going on behind the scenes? Are Blake and Anna just professional acquaintances, or is there a deep-rooted feud that’s bubbling to the surface?

In a world where Hollywood rivalries are as common as red carpets, it’s hard to say where this one will land. But with Blake’s legal troubles and Anna’s awkward comments, we can’t help but wonder if this Hollywood drama is only just beginning.