Blake Lively Shares Behind-the-Scenes Insight on 'A Simple Favor' Improvisation

Blake Lively revealed that it was her idea to add a playful twist to a scene with co-star Henry Golding while filming “A Simple Favor.” In newly surfaced interviews from after filming wrapped, the 37-year-old actress talked about the scene with director Paul Feig and fellow co-star Anna Kendrick. The conversation, shared on platforms like TikTok and X, highlights Feig commending Lively for her creative input. Feig, 62, expresses his enthusiasm for the ad-lib, saying it was one of his favorite spontaneous inclusions, even though it wasn’t part of the original script. In a light-hearted manner, Feig describes how the “Gossip Girl” star humorously grabbed Golding at the moment, stating, “Anyway, you really went for it, too.”

Lively responded to Feig’s remarks by acknowledging the awkwardness of the situation, playfully mimicking what she might have said, “Hey, hi, nice to meet you. Can I grab your nuts really hard? It’s not ‘cause I want to, it’s because I feel like she [my character] would.” Feig then mentioned that he asked Lively to execute the action more forcefully, to which Lively agreed, noting that she did so as a tribute to the character Baby Jane Hudson from the classic 1962 movie played by Bette Davis. Whether an intimacy coordinator was present during the filming of “A Simple Favor” remains unclear. However, reports indicate that the scene was premeditated, with discussions surrounding the “creative suggestion” before it was performed.

Lively has been an outspoken advocate for the presence of an intimacy coordinator on sets, emphasizing their importance for safety during filming. In an August 2024 interview with Digital Spy, she stressed, “I think it’s critical to have an intimacy coordinator. I think being choreographed is vital for everyone’s safety.” Conversely, Lively has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, claiming he behaved inappropriately during the filming of a slow-dancing scene. Baldoni, staunchly denying these allegations, is countersuing Lively and Ryan Reynolds for defamation and extortion and has released unedited footage of the scene in his defense.