The sequel to the 2018 film A Simple Favor is set to premiere soon, according to Paul Feig, the director of the blogger-centric crime-comedy. Feig responded to an online rumor, denying claims that Amazon had shelved the project due to a growing controversy surrounding one of its stars, Blake Lively, in December. The rumor also suggested that Lively had clashed with the film’s other lead, Anna Kendrick. Feig dismissed these allegations, emphasizing that social media should not be trusted as a reliable source of information.
“BREAKING: Amazon has indefinitely shelved A Simple Favor 2,” read the debunked post on X (formerly Twitter). The post alleged that the film had performed well in test screenings but derailed because Lively refused to participate in its promotion. It also claimed that she had entered a legal dispute with the director of It Ends with Us and that tensions between her and Kendrick were escalating. “Anna is furious. Paul Feig is disappointed. Hollywood is in shock. This isn’t just a film; it’s a meltdown,” wrote the user, Eric B, who claimed to have based their claims on public information, insider reports, and research.
“This is total nonsense. Sorry. The film is finished and will be released soon. Don’t believe anything you read on social media these days,” Feig replied. When asked by the original poster why A Simple Favor 2 still lacked a release date if it had wrapped production in April 2024, Feig elaborated:
“Friend, this is what we call post-production, which usually takes more than half a year, considering editing, scoring, visual effects, sound mixing, subtitling, and all the technical checks that need to be completed. Our timeline was always to finish everything by mid-January. Films don’t get released the moment they’re finished because studios plan release schedules a year in advance to determine the best time for a premiere. We’ve always intended to release the film this spring or summer. That’s how the film industry works. Hope this helps,” Feig explained. He added that the sequel turned out great, with Lively and Kendrick once again excelling in their roles.
The director, who is also known for Bridesmaids, recently released Jackpot! on Amazon Prime Video last summer. Following A Simple Favor 2, he is set to adapt The Home for the Deranged with Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried in the lead roles.
