Anna Kendrick Caught in the Crossfire of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s Explosive Hollywood Feud

For more than two decades, Anna Kendrick has built a reputation in Hollywood as one of the industry’s most reliable, relatable, and scandal-free stars. From her Broadway debut at just 12 years old to her breakout roles in Twilight and Pitch Perfect, Kendrick has cultivated an image of a quirky, witty, and self-aware actress who could make America laugh without ever being dragged into messy celebrity controversies. She was described as “warm, friendly, and honest” by Elle and hailed by The Ringer as someone who managed to remain likable by avoiding overexposure and backlash.

But even the most careful Hollywood players eventually stumble into drama—and for Anna Kendrick, that stumbling block came in the form of Blake Lively.

What began as subtle tension on the set of the 2018 thriller A Simple Favor has escalated into one of Hollywood’s most chaotic feuds, pulling Kendrick unwillingly into the middle of Lively’s bitter legal war with actor and filmmaker Justin Baldoni. With the sequel A Simple Favor 2 set for release in March 2025, the fallout from this tangled web of personal grudges, lawsuits, and online backlash now threatens to overshadow the movie entirely.

The Spark: When Anna Met Blake

Before working together, Kendrick only knew Blake Lively in passing, having met her a few times through Lively’s husband Ryan Reynolds. Kendrick thought she seemed nice enough. But the pair’s working relationship on A Simple Favor told a different story.

On set, sources claim, Lively was not content to simply act. She inserted herself into writing, costume design, and other creative decisions—behavior that at first looked like ambition but later revealed itself as a power struggle. Lively herself admitted in a 2022 Forbes Power Women Summit interview that she never felt fulfilled as just an actress. She said she needed to exert authorship over all aspects of a project, even while acknowledging that producers and directors often resented her for overstepping.

For Anna Kendrick, this revelation confirmed what she had already experienced firsthand: that Blake Lively was determined to be the main character both on and off the screen.

Press Tour Tension and Subtle Jabs

The friction became visible during the A Simple Favor promotional tour. In one interview, Lively half-jokingly lamented that she might never be a Disney princess without Anna’s voice. While it sounded like a compliment to viewers, Kendrick sensed the jealousy behind it and responded with dry sarcasm: “Oh muffin, it’s so hard being you.”

When the interviewer focused questions on Kendrick instead of Lively, Blake snapped, “What about me over here?” To which Kendrick quipped, “Oh my God guys, don’t fight just because I’m the best at everything.”

The banter played off as lighthearted, but insiders say the rivalry was real.

The Battle Over Billing

When plans for A Simple Favor 2 were announced, both actresses returned—but the unresolved tensions quickly resurfaced. This time, the fight centered on billing.

In the original film, Kendrick’s name had appeared first in the credits, but for the sequel, Lively demanded top billing. Weeks of negotiations between agents and lawyers ended in a compromise known in Hollywood as “staggered billing.” Kendrick’s name would appear first on the left side of the poster, while Lively’s name would appear higher but on the right. Neither was happy, but both agreed.

Had that been the only issue, the feud might have remained a quiet Hollywood secret. But then the Justin Baldoni saga exploded.

The “It Ends With Us” Meltdown

Justin Baldoni, known for his role in Jane the Virgin, directed the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel It Ends With Us. The project, announced in 2019, quickly became a cultural phenomenon, with fans eager to see who would play Lily Bloom. Blake Lively landed the lead role.

The film became a box office success, grossing over $350 million worldwide. But behind the scenes, the production was reportedly fraught with problems. During the press tour, Lively emphasized fashion, florals, and her husband’s gin brand rather than the film’s serious themes of domestic abuse. Baldoni was conspicuously absent from several premieres, and cast members—including Lively and Hoover—did not follow him on social media.

Then in December, everything unraveled. Blake Lively filed a legal complaint accusing Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, of repeated sexual harassment and launching a smear campaign against her. She claimed Baldoni hired a crisis manager to destroy her reputation online and silence her complaints.

Baldoni’s team denied everything, insisting Lively had made numerous demands and threatened to sabotage the film if she didn’t get her way. In a stunning escalation, Baldoni sued Lively and Reynolds for $400 million, accusing them of extortion and defamation.

Anna Kendrick’s Breaking Point

For Anna Kendrick, who had already experienced Lively’s difficult behavior, the Baldoni scandal was a breaking point. She reportedly felt anger and frustration after watching Baldoni describe his struggles with anxiety following Lively’s accusations. Worse, the backlash against Blake began to affect Anna’s own career.

When Kendrick posted a promotional poster for A Simple Favor 2, instead of her usual flood of support, she was met with comments like:

“Did Ryan rewrite a scene?” (a jab at Lively’s alleged interference).

“Nope, not watching anything with Blake Lively in it.”

“Love you Anna, but I can’t stand Blake anymore.”

For someone who had spent her entire career avoiding drama, the association with Blake Lively was suddenly toxic. Friends of Kendrick told reporters she believes Blake owes her—and the rest of the cast—an apology for dragging their film into scandal.

Hollywood Damage Control

Director Paul Feig has tried to downplay the drama. When critics suggested Lively hijacked the sequel, Feig pushed back: “It’s my cut. There is no other cut. Blake has been nothing but supportive and a dream to work with.”

But his assurances have done little to shift public perception. Lively’s critics remain convinced that she thrives on being the center of attention, no matter the cost.

Meanwhile, Justin Baldoni has positioned himself as the victim of a smear campaign, even as he fights a massive lawsuit. The irony of being stripped of a women’s solidarity award in December, only to then accuse Lively of false harassment claims, has made the saga even murkier.

A Reputation at Risk

The most tragic part of this feud may be Anna Kendrick’s collateral damage. For decades, she avoided Hollywood scandals, built a career on charm and talent, and earned the title of “America’s sweetheart” without ever being dragged into controversy.

Now, thanks to her proximity to Blake Lively, Kendrick’s clean image is at risk. Her upcoming film is being overshadowed by gossip and lawsuits that have nothing to do with her. Instead of questions about her role or her career, she is now fielding fan backlash about Lively’s personal battles.

What Comes Next?

As A Simple Favor 2 approaches its March 2025 release, all eyes will be on whether audiences can separate the movie from the drama.

For Anna Kendrick, the path forward may depend on whether Blake Lively takes accountability. Industry insiders say Kendrick feels Lively should publicly apologize—not just to her, but to the entire cast and crew—for allowing her personal conflicts to spill over into their shared project.

For now, Kendrick remains the reluctant participant in Hollywood’s most toxic triangle: caught between Blake Lively’s thirst for control and Justin Baldoni’s fight for vindication.

Whether the sequel thrives or collapses under the weight of scandal may determine if Kendrick’s spotless reputation can survive being dragged into the storm.

Full video: