Blake Lively ‘takes your breath away’ when she transforms on screen, says Another Simple Favor director Paul Feig: ‘It’s kind of magical’

I love telling stories about complex, three-dimensional women, and there are so many actors I love that I want to keep putting in these movies. I’ve gotten to know so many great women! For me, the sad thing is I can’t make more movies with more roles to work with all the women I want to work with. But I just love it!

Henry, the setting of Another Simple Favor reminded me of your breakthrough film, Crazy Rich Asians (2018), where another woman protagonist goes to a foreign land amid a wedding and navigates a culturally different family. How do you think the setting of the sequel complements the film’s madness?

The characters that were established in the first film had a small-town, suburban vibe to them. Paul’s idea with the sequel was to bring them to an international setting. And what better setting than one of the most beautiful and stunning places in the world, Caprese. Strangely, it didn’t click, but it’s quite similar to the plot of Crazy Rich Asians. Plus, a lot of murders. A higher body count (laughs).

Also Read — Another Simple Favor movie review: Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively reprise their roles in the sequel that adds more twists

Paul, Blake Lively is so deliciously bonkers in this franchise, a far cry from her sensitive portrayal in It Ends With Us last year. How does she pull off this range?

Well, it’s funny because if you know Blake, she’s very sweet! She’s not Emily at all! I think it lets her bring out something inside her that needs to come out. As soon as the camera rolls, she becomes Emily, and it takes your breath away, a little bit. In her interactions with Sean (Golding), where she’s firing away, he’s being mean and she’s spewing back stuff, it’s kind of magical to watch. I love everything that Blake does, but that’s such a defining role for her.

Henry, not too many male actors in Hollywood would do a film headlined by two strong female characters. Was that ever a concern for you?

Not at all! When you go into a project, you don’t see sex or colour. It’s purely about the storytelling. The draw is to have these characters and their symbiotic presence and creativity. They could’ve been men, but the magic Anna and Blake have in these roles, I hope they make more of these films because you want to see that expand and grow. So, definitely no concerns. It was more excitement, to be honest, because I know what those girls bring to the screen.

Finally, Paul, have you ever faced any hurdles in casting male actors in your movies because they’re dominated by women?

No! I work with such talented women that any actor worth their salt knows that they’re going to get their game upped by working with these women. It’s crazy that there’s a different dynamic because there should be total parity between the two sexes, but there are just not many movies starring women. So I think people really appreciate when they get along.

You haven’t faced hesitation even from the A-list male stars?

No, everyone’s looking for a good part. They just see if they have something good to do in the film. I don’t like to have any roles that are what I call “Day 1, ran away” roles or that are just there. Even with my supporting cast, I like that every character is funny, three-dimensional, and have something extra to bring to the screen.

Another Simple Favor releases on Prime Video on May 1.