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Blake Lively Defended By Ghostbusters (2016) Director, Denies Rumors Latest Film Shelved Amid Reports of Multiple Hollywood Feuds

January 14, 2025  ·
  Marvin Montanaro
Blake Lively Justin Baldoni

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in the film It Ends With Us - YouTube, Sony Pictures Entertainment

As Hollywood buzz continues to swirl around Blake Lively’s legal battle with Justin Baldoni, rumors about more Blake Lively Hollywood feuds has fueled speculation on social media.

One particularly viral claim suggested that the sequel to A Simple Favor was shelved due to behind-the-scenes conflicts between Blake Lively and co-star Ana Kendrick, but director Paul Feig, of Ghostbusters (2016) fame, is putting those rumors to rest.

Blake Lively

Blake Lively in the film It Ends With Us – YouTube, Sony Pictures Entertainment

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“This is total BS. Sorry,” Feig wrote on X, addressing a report. “The movie is finished and coming out soon. Don’t believe anything you read on social media these days.”

Feig further clarified that delays in announcing a release date are standard industry practice.

 

“My friend, it’s called post production,” he said, when the original poster challenged his assertion. “Which generally takes over half a year at least when you factor in editing, scoring, special effects, sound mixing, close captioning and all the technical quality control that has to be done. Our post schedule always had us finishing everything by mid-January. Movies don’t come out the second they’re finished because the studio spends the previous year deciding the best date to release it. We’ve always planned on something in the spring/summer of this year. That’s how movies work. I hope this helps.”

The timing of reports on more Blake Lively Hollywood feuds coincide with heightened attention on her ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni, which has captivated Hollywood insiders and gossip-seekers alike. Lively filed a lawsuit last year accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and coordinating a smear campaign against her. Baldoni, in turn, has denied the allegations, claiming Lively orchestrated her own campaign to damage his reputation and filing his own lawsuit against the New York Times.

Justin Baldoni

Justin Baldoni in the film It Ends With Us – YouTube, Sony Pictures Entertainment

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The lawsuits have revealed text messages, emails, and behind-the-scenes turmoil during the production of It Ends with Us, the 2024 film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, in which Lively and Baldoni both starred. Messages obtained through legal subpoenas show Baldoni and his crisis PR team allegedly strategizing to discredit Lively by creating “untraceable” negative narratives online.

Lively has accused Baldoni of engaging in retaliatory behavior, including attempts to undermine her career through targeted media campaigns. Baldoni, meanwhile, has doubled down on his claims, stating he plans to “sue her into oblivion.”

Blake Lively Justin Baldoni

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in the film It Ends With Us – YouTube, Sony Pictures Entertainment

While Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni and his team continues to unfold, Feig’s reassurance about the status of A Simple Favor 2 provides a welcome reprieve for fans of the 2018 film. 

The original A Simple Favor, which earned $97 million on a $20 million budget, gained praise for its sharp wit and suspenseful twists. Fans are eager to see how the sequel builds on the dynamic chemistry between its leads, especially given the ongoing drama surrounding Lively’s real-life challenges.

Do you believe that Blake Lively is embroiled in multiple Hollywood feuds? Sound off in the comments and let us know! 

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Author: Marvin Montanaro
Marvin Montanaro is the Editor-in-Chief of That Park Place and a seasoned entertainment journalist with nearly two decades of experience across multiple digital media outlets and print publications. He joined That Park Place in 2024, bringing with him a passion for theme parks, pop culture, and film commentary. Based in Orlando, Florida, Marvin regularly visits Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, offering firsthand reporting and analysis from the parks. He’s also the creative force behind the Tooney Town YouTube channels, where he appears as his satirical alter ego, Marvin the Movie Monster. Montanaro’s insights are rooted in years of real-world reporting and editorial leadership. He can be reached via email at mmontanaro@thatparkplace.com SOCIAL MEDIA: X: http://x.com/marvinmontanaro Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marvinmontanaro Facebook: https://facebook.com/marvinmontanaro Email: mmontanaro@thatparkplace.com
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GigaChud

Should we trust directors in our age? HAH!

Bunny With A Keyboard

We can expect this movie to be every bit on the level of Ghostbusters 2016, and for the critics to speak beautifully about it, just like they did for G2016