Blake Lively returns in 'Another Simple Favor' amid legal turmoil

Blake Lively is back on our screens but this time, it's not just her performance that's causing a stir.

"Another Simple Favor," the sequel to 2018's "A Simple Favor," is set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on May 1.

While fans are eager to see Lively reprise her role as the mysterious Emily Nelson,the timing of the film's release couldn't be worse, with the actress caught up in a messy legal drama that’s threatening to overshadow the thriller.

So, while the suspense on screen promises to be just as twisted as the first film, it’s the behind-the-scenes drama that’s really keeping us on edge.

The original film, "A Simple Favor," was a fresh take on the thriller genre. Directed by Paul Feig, it saw Anna Kendrick’s Stephanie Smothers uncovering a web of secrets and lies after the disappearance of her friend Emily, played by Lively.

With its clever mix of dark humour, intrigue and twists, the movie was a crowd-pleaser and both actresses received widespread praise for their performances. It was the kind of film that kept you guessing until the very end - making you want to know just what kind of simple favour Emily was really asking for.

"Another Simple Favor" is where the action picks up in Italy, Stephanie and Emily are set to attend Emily's wedding. Of course, things are far from picture-perfect. Murder, revenge and deep-seated secrets all come to light in a tale that promises just as many surprises as the first.

Alongside Lively and Kendrick, fans will see Henry Golding, Andrew Rannells and Kelly McCormack return, while "365 Days" star Michele Morrone joins the cast as a wealthy Italian businessman with ties to Emily.

But it’s not just the plot that’s got people talking - there’s also the small matter of the timing.  Lively’s ongoing legal battle with her "It Ends With Us" co-star Justin Baldoni has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons.

As much as we’d like to see the drama come to an end, it’s quickly turning into a media frenzy not unlike the infamous Depp-Heard court days. And if that wasn’t enough, Taylor Swift’s name has been dragged into the mess, with some fans accusing the popstar of remaining silent on the issue. 

An insider speaking to "Daily Mail" suggested that Taylor Swift’s silence may work in Baldoni’s favour: "Taylor is a sexual assault victim and spent more than a year of her life fighting for a case that she knew she would win," the source said.

"She has donated money to sexual assault victims' funds. If Taylor truly supported Blake, would she not want to publicly back her?"

This has raised some questions among Swift’s fans, many of whom feel the popstar should be using her platform to stand by Lively.

The drama escalates further as the insider added: "Some people feel [Taylor] should be offering comfort and using her platform to rally Swifties in support of what is right." However, Swift has remained suspiciously silent, which, according to the source, could be crucial for Baldoni’s legal team:

"Instead, Taylor appears to have gone silent and is staying out of the public eye. This will likely play a role in Justin's defense."

Baldoni himself has reportedly shared messages where Lively referred to Swift as one of her "dragons" (a nod to "Game of Thrones"). The actor claims that Lively used Swift’s presence in a meeting to pressure him into agreeing with her script ideas, giving her influence over the production.

The source seemed to believe that Swift’s silence might indicate her lack of support for Lively’s claims, adding: "If Taylor does not believe Blake, she will be the smoking gun in this case."

With the release of "Another Simple Favor" fast approaching, we can only hope that the film manages to steal back some of the attention. But if we’re being honest, it might just be the real-life drama that keeps us hooked this time around.