Paul Feig's respectful direction praised at SXSW Festival

Alex Newell, who stars alongside Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick in "Another Simple Favor," expressed how much he enjoyed filming the movie. In a recent interview, he described his experience as positive, highlighting the supportive atmosphere created by director Paul Feig. Newell, 32, shared that being part of the movie, which debuted at the 2025 SXSW Film & TV Festival, was an incredible opportunity. He was amazed by the script and thrilled to work with talented actors like Kendrick and Lively as well as veterans such as Allison Janney and Elizabeth Perkins. He appreciated the way Feig encouraged the cast to have fun while filming. Feig, 62, previously directed the original film in 2018, where Kendrick's character investigates the mysterious disappearance of Lively's character. The sequel saw the return of original cast members, along with Newell making his feature debut. He reflected on his past experiences, saying he is used to being the new member of a well-established cast. Newell also shared a memorable bonding moment when Feig took the cast on a boat trip during filming. Meanwhile, interest in "Another Simple Favor" has increased due to Lively's ongoing legal issues with Justin Baldoni, her co-star from another project. Lively has filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, claiming he created a toxic work environment and subjected her to harassment. Baldoni has denied the allegations and filed lawsuits against Lively and others. At SXSW, Lively thanked fans for their support and celebrated the film’s release. She expressed her joy in sharing the movie and feeling the audience's love but did not comment on her legal situation. Kendrick, on the other hand, humorously deflected questions about the impact of current events on the movie, focusing instead on its quality.