Blake Lively Stuns at Another Simple Favor Premiere Amid Explosive Legal War with Justin Baldoni

Blake Lively made a glamorous return to the red carpet on Friday, March 7, for the world premiere of Another Simple Favor, her first major movie event since the legal drama with Justin Baldoni erupted into the public eye. The actress, who was greeted warmly by fans, appeared poised and radiant as she walked the red carpet in Austin, Texas, to celebrate the comedic-thriller sequel, which opened the 2025 SXSW Film & TV Festival.

Alongside Lively were her co-star Anna Kendrick and director Paul Feig, both of whom reunited with Lively after working together on the original A Simple Favor in 2018. The sequel is set to begin streaming on Prime Video on May 1, and the premiere at SXSW marked a significant moment for Lively, who has been dealing with the intense spotlight of her legal dispute with Baldoni.

The legal battle began in December 2024 when Lively filed a lawsuit accusing Baldoni and others of sexual harassment and launching a retaliatory smear campaign against her, which Baldoni has denied. In January, Baldoni countersued Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist, alleging defamation and extortion. This ongoing legal drama has been closely followed by the public and media alike, especially as Lively and Reynolds recently made their first joint public appearance since the lawsuits at the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary taping in New York City on February 16.

Despite the turmoil in her personal life, Lively maintained her composure and professionalism as she took part in the celebration of Another Simple Favor. In the sequel, Lively reprises her role as Emily, a character recently released from prison who invites her frenemy, played by Kendrick, to be her maid of honor at a lavish wedding in Capri, Italy. The plot promises an intriguing mix of glamour, murder, and betrayal, with twists that keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

The film also stars Andrew Rannells, Bashir Salahuddin, Elizabeth Perkins, Michele Morrone, Alex Newell, Henry Golding, and Allison Janney, rounding out a star-studded ensemble. Feig, who directed the film, has been a staunch defender of Lively throughout the legal proceedings. He has publicly praised her for her professionalism and collaborative spirit, writing on social media, “Blake has been nothing but supportive and a dream to work with. She is the best and an amazing collaborator.”

Lively’s It Ends With Us co-star Brandon Sklenar also attended SXSW with his own film, the thriller Drop, and spoke out in support of Lively. When asked about how he’s supporting her amid the ongoing legal drama, Sklenar called it a “tough situation” but emphasized the importance of focusing on the message behind It Ends With Us, a film about love, supporting women, and helping people through difficult times.

Despite the personal challenges Lively faces, the actress is determined to stay focused on her work and continue delivering memorable performances. Another Simple Favor promises to be a thrilling sequel that fans of the first film—and new viewers alike—won’t want to miss when it hits Prime Video on May 1, 2025.