Anna Kendrick’s Unexpected Link to the ‘It Ends With Us’ Legal Drama
Fans were surprised to learn that Anna Kendrick‘s name appeared in recently unsealed documents related to the highly publicized legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni over the film adaptation of ‘It Ends With Us’. The connection stems from Kendrick’s professional relationship with Lively, having co-starred with her in the 2018 hit, A Simple Favor, and its upcoming sequel, Another Simple Favor (scheduled for release in 2025).
A Professional, But Not Necessarily Close, Relationship
While the two actresses share on-screen chemistry, reports suggest their friendship may be limited to professional settings. Following the public disclosure of details surrounding Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni, Kendrick embarked on a press tour for Another Simple Favor. Lively maintained a cautious approach, avoiding direct commentary on the legal proceedings. Kendrick, however, playfully addressed the situation with her signature wit.
During the Another Simple Favor premiere at SXSW in March 2025, when asked about her experience working with Lively, Kendrick responded coyly to Entertainment Weekly: “Oh, you know,” before quickly shifting her attention to a fan interaction. Later, in an interview with Variety, she was questioned about whether the release of the film was “impacted” by the ongoing legal dispute. Kendrick’s response was characteristically humorous: “Why? What happened? I did ayahuasca and the last year of my life has been gone,” she joked, before pivoting back to promoting Another Simple Favor. “But I hear the movie is amazing.”
In contrast, Lively offered a more straightforward response when asked about working with Kendrick, telling Entertainment Weekly, “Oh, it’s the best! I’m so happy to be here.”
Kendrick’s Name in Court Documents
The legal battle between Lively and Baldoni, which began in late 2024, is heading to civil court this spring. As part of the discovery process, numerous court documents have been unsealed, including Lively’s deposition. According to Us Weekly, Lively was questioned about whether she had worked with Kendrick on a film. Lively clarified that the question seemed to be related to the timing of the release of ‘It Ends With Us’.
“Are you asking about — I understood your question to be since It Ends With Us came out,” Lively stated. She further explained that she had completed a film after shooting ‘It Ends With Us’, but not during the period of the legal dispute.
Rumors of On-Set Tension
Following the release of A Simple Favor in 2018, rumors circulated regarding a potential lack of rapport between Kendrick and Lively on set. However, a source told Us Weekly in February 2025 that the situation was amicable. “There aren’t any issues between Blake and Anna right now,” the insider revealed. “Sometimes you work with somebody, and they’re great — they’re really, genuinely great — and they just have a very different working style, let’s say.”
Kendrick herself offered a nuanced perspective in a 2018 interview with BuzzFeed, describing Lively as a “partner-in-crime” but also someone you couldn’t readily approach with personal issues. “You know, they’re the kind of person that you can’t come to them in between and be like, ‘Yo, let me tell you what just happened,’” she explained.
The inclusion of Anna Kendrick’s name in the court documents highlights the interconnectedness of Hollywood and the ripple effects of high-profile legal battles. While her involvement appears tangential, it has undoubtedly sparked further interest in the ongoing drama.
