Paul Feig Defends Blake Lively Against Diva Rumors Amid Legal Drama

Blake Lively has found a steadfast supporter in director Paul Feig, who is not holding back when it comes to defending her from the internet’s rumor mill. In a recent interview, Feig made it crystal clear that Lively is not the diva some online corners have made her out to be, especially amid her ongoing legal spat with Justin Baldoni and all the whispers about her allegedly trying to run the show on set.

Feig set the record straight, saying, "Blake is an amazing collaborator," and he couldn’t help but roll his eyes at the idea that top-tier actors just show up, read their lines, and leave the rest to the crew. "Every star I’ve worked with works this way. The idea that a star just shows up and you go ‘Here’s the script’ – please point me to one movie star who works that way." If only making movies were that simple, right?

He also dropped a truth bomb about online outrage, calling it "the most boring emotion humans have these days." He’s got a point—people seem to get riled up over just about anything, even when there are much bigger fish to fry than, say, a movie star voicing her opinion.

The drama kicked up in February when Prime Video hyped the upcoming premiere of "Another Simple Favor," starring Lively and Anna Kendrick. The social media announcement quickly became a battleground for fans, with one user even joking, "Paul Feig’s cut or Blake’s cut?"—a not-so-subtle jab at Lively’s supposed behind-the-scenes influence, referencing accusations from Baldoni relating to "It Ends with Us." Feig’s response? "It’s my cut. There is no other cut. Blake has been nothing but supportive and a dream to work with." If only all workplace drama could be shut down this efficiently.

Of course, the internet never met a feud rumor it didn’t love. Speculation about Lively and Kendrick clashing before the red carpet at SXSW made the rounds, but Feig was quick to squash that too: "Um… you’re wrong." Short, sweet, and to the point.

All this comes against the backdrop of Lively’s legal battle with Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath, whom she’s accused of sexual harassment, retaliation, and emotional distress. Baldoni, for his part, fired back with a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of civil extortion and defamation. The drama has played out in press releases, federal court filings, and even dueling "unedited footage" from the set of "It Ends With Us," with both sides claiming it proves their case.

Things got so heated, Lively’s legal team even requested a gag order against Baldoni’s lawyer, which Baldoni’s camp called "tactical gamesmanship." A judge ended up telling everyone to stick to the New York Rules of Professional Conduct and keep the war of words out of the press—good luck with that.

Through it all, Lively has been candid about the toll this year has taken. On "Late Night with Seth Meyers," she described 2024 as one of the "highest highs and the lowest lows" of her life and spoke about the dangers of fear and silence for women trying to share their stories. She credited the strength of other women for giving her the courage to keep speaking up, even when it would be easier to stay quiet.