The sequel to “A Simple Favor,” the 2018 comedic thriller directed by Paul Feig and starring Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick, has gotten an official title and been set as SXSW‘s opening night premiere.
In “Another Simple Favor,” Stephanie Smothers (Kendrick) and Emily Nelson (Lively) travel to Capri, Italy for Emily’s wedding to a rich Italian businessman where, as the logline reveals, “murder and betrayal” occur. The cast also includes Andrew Rannells, Bashir Salahuddin and Henry Golding, who starred in the original film, plus Elizabeth Perkins, Michele Morrone, Alex Newell and Allison Janney. The premiere is a return to SXSW for Feig, whose films “Bridesmaids” and “Spy” premiered at the festival in 2011 and 2015, respectively.
Should Lively appear at the festival, it will mark her first public appearance since the beginning of her legal battle with Justin Baldoni, whom she accused of sexual harassment and a smear campaign during the production and promotion of the 2024 film “It Ends With Us.”
“Another Simple Favor” was written by Jessica Sharzer and Laeta Kalogridis based on characters by Darcey Bell. Feig produces with Laura Fischer via Feigco Entertainment, while executive producers include Jennifer Booth, Jessica Sharzer and Marco Valerio Pugini. Lionsgate is the studio.
“When we saw this film last fall, we instantly knew it had to open SXSW — it gave us that electric feeling we live for as programmers,” said Claudette Godfrey, SXSW’s vice president of film and television. “Paul Feig and SXSW share an unmatched love for bold, fearless comedy. From that unforgettable late night screening of ‘Bridesmaids’ to ‘Spy”s raucous world premiere, his films capture exactly what makes our festival special — wildly entertaining projects that push boundaries. We’re beyond excited to reunite with Paul and kick off the festival with a film that had our entire team laughing, cheering and immediately wanting to watch it again!”
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to be back at my favorite festival in the world where we successfully launched ‘Bridesmaids’ and ‘Spy,’ and I cannot begin to say how honored I am to have our film opening it all,” said Feig. “I’ve avoided making sequels to any of my films but these characters were just too much fun not to revisit. So, to be able to have Anna, Blake, Henry, Andrew, Michele, Elizabeth, Alex and myself watch our film with the great SXSW audience is a bucket list event that I’ll be able to check off March 7 and move playing drums for Dwight Yoakum’s band up to the top slot.”
See a production photo and art from “Another Simple Favor” below.
