Not Just the Star—Blake Lively Quietly Took Over This Crucial Part of Another Simple Favor

Blake Lively may be front and center in Another Simple Favor, but her contributions behind the scenes are just as notable as her on-screen performance. The sequel to the 2018 dark comedy mystery sees Lively reprise her role as the enigmatic Emily Nelson—but this time, she brought more than just her acting chops to the set. According to the film’s co-writer Jessica Sharzer, Lively had a major influence on both the script’s humor and the film’s standout fashion moments.

While director Paul Feig has emphasized that the final cut of the movie was his own—countering separate allegations involving Lively from the unrelated It Ends With Us controversy—he and Sharzer both credit the actress as an essential creative force. “It really is a collaborative process,” Sharzer told The Hollywood Reporter, describing how many of the film’s funniest lines didn’t come from the page, but rather from Lively herself. “She’s funny. She’s married to a very funny man [Ryan Reynolds], and I think they help each other with all of their projects,” Sharzer added.

Lively’s comedic instincts helped shape her character in subtle but significant ways. Sharzer confessed that some of the film’s sharpest lines may not have been written by her at all. “There are a lot of funny lines that I either didn’t write or don’t remember writing,” she said, referencing a memorable line from the first film that had fans in stitches—and which she’s certain didn’t come from her.

But it wasn’t just Lively’s wit that elevated the film. Her influence extended into the wardrobe department, where she worked closely with the costume designer to bring her character’s fashion to new heights. Known for her real-life style and her iconic turn as Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl, Lively once again delivered sartorial magic, even contributing pieces from her personal collection and from close friends like Gigi Hadid. “Blake had a massive say in the fashion,” Sharzer noted, particularly as the film transitions to a destination wedding in Europe—offering a whole new playground for style.

In an industry where many stars remain strictly in front of the camera, Lively’s creative fingerprints on Another Simple Favor are a testament to her evolving role as not just a performer, but a true collaborator.