A breakdown of Blake Lively movie drama as 'Another Simple Favor' premieres at SXSW 2025
Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick star in "Another Simple Favor," a sequel premiering at the 2025 South by Southwest Film Festival on Friday. But Lively has been the center of controversy lately, spurred by a lawsuit tied to her last movie, "It Ends with Us."
Here's what to know about the drama surrounding Blake Lively.
What is 'Another Simple Favor' about? See release date
In the upcoming sequel, Stephanie Smothers (Kendrick), still reeling from the shocking events of the first "A Simple Favor," finds herself drawn back into Emily Nelson's (Lively's) orbit. This time, the invitation was for Emily's wedding to a mysterious Italian tycoon.
As the wedding festivities unfold, a series of bizarre events begin to unravel: a priceless art heist, a string of anonymous threats, and a shocking discovery that Emily's past was far more complicated than anyone imagined.
'Another Simple Favor' cast
Henry Golding, Andrew Rannells, Bashir Salahuddin, Joshua Satine, Ian Ho and Kelly McCormack are all returning to the cast for "Simple Favor" round two, with new additions Michele Morrone and Allison Janney.
WATCH: 'Another Simple Favor' movie trailer
'It Ends with Us' lawsuit: Justin Baldoni sues co-star Blake Lively
Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, who co-headlined the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's bestselling book "It Ends with Us," are now locked in a bitter legal battle.
Lively has accused Baldoni of sexually harassing her and others on set, then coordinating an online smear campaign to discredit her during the filming of "It Ends with Us." Baldoni has countered that it was Lively who behaved poorly on set and used her influence alongside husband Ryan Reynolds to extort and defame him.
The lawsuit will proceed to trial in March 2026.
This high-profile legal drama has undoubtedly added a layer of intrigue to the "Another Simple Favor" premiere at SXSW, raising questions about whether Lively will attend and if so, how she will navigate the public scrutiny, as well as whether the controversy will impact the film's reception.
Blake Lively called out for 2017 Cherokee heritage claim
The actress's "It Ends with Us" lawsuit isn't the first time she's been the subject of criticism. In 2017, social media users dragged Blake Lively for claiming to have indigenous ancestry in a L'Oreal Paris makeup commercial.
"I'm English, Irish, German and Cherokee," Lively says in the commercial. "So my family's sort of from all over."
The brand's "Your Skin, Your Story" campaign sought to promote its True Match foundation range by "embracing diversity," according to Global Cosmetic Industry magazine. Lively had also mentioned her alleged "Cherokee ancestry" in an ad for the same product in 2015.
Many doubted Lively's claim, noting her blonde hair and vivid blue-green eyes. She also failed to provide proof of Cherokee lineage.
Lively was called out by Adrienne Keene, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and former assistant professor of ethnic studies at Brown University. Keene cited a genealogy of Lively, going back 15 generations, which revealed no Native American relatives.
Blake Lively movies and TV shows
Prior to her starring role in "It Ends with Us," Blake Lively was perhaps best known for her role as Serena van der Woodsen on the TV show "Gossip Girl." Her resume also includes, but is not limited to, "A Simple Favor" (2018), "The Shallows" (2016), "The Age of Adaline" (2015), "Savages" (2012), "The Town" (2010) and "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" (2005).
How do I attend SXSW 2025? Badges, wristbands and more
- $2,195 for a Platinum pass (walk-up rate $2,295.00)
- $1,595 for an Interactive festival pass (walk-up rate $1,695)
- $1,355 for a Film and Television festival pass (walk-up rate $1,395)
- $895 for a music festival badge (walk-up rate $995)
Music and Film festival wristbands are also on sale Music wristbands start at $149. This pass grants you secondary access to showcases on 50+ stages from March 10-15.
If you're there for the screenings, opt for a Film & TV wristband (starting at $120). These give you secondary access to over 300 screenings on 18 screens across seven venues from March 7-15, including 96 features and over 80 world premieres.
Volunteer opportunities are also available.
— Paste BN contributed to this report.