Paul Feig Shares Insights on the Challenges of Producing *Another Simple Favor*
Filmmaker Paul Feig has candidly addressed the difficulties he faced while creating *Another Simple Favor*, shedding light on the pressures associated with following up a successful film. With the world premiere taking place at the South by Southwest festival, Feig elaborated on his concerns about potentially disappointing fans of the original film, known for its wild comedic twists and the captivating chemistry between leads Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively.
Script Revisions and Creative Dilemmas
During a recent discussion at the Austin Convention Center, Feig articulated the extensive effort that went into refining the script. “We worked this script forever,” he remarked, revealing that he had even contemplated scrapping the project multiple times. In a surprising turn, Feig and his producing partner, Laura Fischer, decided to completely overhaul a previously approved version of the screenplay.
“We tossed out a whole script that was greenlit,” Feig explained. “As I read the excited responses from fans eager for a sequel, I realized, ‘This isn’t what they want.’ So, we collaborated with the writers, discarded about 70 percent of the previous material, and transformed it into what it is now—vitally thanks to Laura’s encouragement.” He added, “I didn’t want to mess it up. I’m genuinely pleased with how it turned out.”
Reflections on Industry Pressures
Feig also recounted the intense pressure surrounding the release of *Bridesmaids* in 2011. He felt the weight of his work’s potential impact on the future of female-led comedies, as many of his peers awaited its outcome. “Many of my female writer friends were pitching comedies centered on women, and studios kept saying, ‘Let’s see how *Bridesmaids* performs first.’ It felt overwhelming, honestly. I was terrified I might derail opportunities for women in film if we didn’t succeed,” he expressed.
Looking back, Feig now finds it amusing that *Bridesmaids* grossed over $306 million at the box office, yet he acknowledges a lingering skepticism toward female-led films compared to those led by male counterparts. This perception drives Feig to focus on female-driven stories, as seen in his portfolio that includes *Spy*, the much-debated *Ghostbusters* reboot, and *A Simple Favor*, alongside his forthcoming thriller, *The Housemaid*, featuring Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney.
As Feig noted, building studio trust has been crucial, explaining, “It takes significant trust, and fortunately, my films have been profitable over the years, granting me more creative freedom. However, there’s always an underlying suspicion that you might not deliver.”
Blake Lively’s Creative Contributions
Turning to *Another Simple Favor*, Feig shared how Blake Lively actively contributed to her character’s wardrobe, which evolves from flashy in the first film to even more extravagant in the sequel, where her character is released from prison. “Blake’s ideas for her wardrobe are phenomenal,” Feig praised. “When she first appears, she wanted to wear a suit reminiscent of a prison outfit. Initially, it seemed odd, but then I thought, it’s truly genius.”
Lively also introduced a whimsical, oversized sunhat that appears in the film’s teaser trailer. Feig recalls, “There’s a shop in Capri called Fiore, and when Blake found this massive sunhat, she insisted on incorporating it into the movie. How could we not include it? My favorite moment is when she walks past the camera and lifts the hat just enough to show her face. She absolutely embodies a movie star.”
Interestingly, the conversation did not touch on Lively’s ongoing legal disputes related to her role in *It Ends With Us*, likely a welcome relief given how often those in her circle have fielded questions about it.
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