BLAKE Lively is reportedly embroiled in a “secret feud” with her new movie co-star Anna Kendrick.
It comes hot on the heels of the Gossip Girl alum’s lawsuit against her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni, 41, filed before Christmas.
The case was sparked following a bitter feud on-set, with her accusing him of sexual harassment.
Justin has since filed a $400million countersuit, which accused Blake, 37, and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, 48, of attempting to “destroy” his career and reputation.
Sources claim the legal battle could drag on “for years” – and now it appears the debacle is causing drama on Blake’s latest flick.
She will star in Another Simple Favor – a prequel to 2018 movie A Simple Favor – alongside Anna Kendrick, who is said to be irked by the overhang of bad feelings from the ongoing legal proceedings.
A source told MailOnline: “There is a gigantic pink elephant in the room that no one is acknowledging.
“The backlash to initial promo has been brutal. There are people protesting and refusing to see it.
“‘Blake has not addressed this. She has not called the cast to apologise.
“She has not done anything like that. She has stayed quiet and hidden away.
“She owes Anna an apology. She owes them all an apology.”
The source added: “Anna is just over all of it.
Blake Lively may walk out with ‘$10m’ & ‘saved’ reputation after lawsuit while Justin Baldoni’s career is ‘dead’
“If Anna was in this position, she would not be letting the film take the fall for her own personal issues.”
The US Sun has gone to Anna’s reps for comment.
Maine-born Anna plays mommy vlogger Stephanie Smothers in the initial movie.
The promo for the spin off – which hits screens in March – has also allegedly sparked controversy due to the position of her and Blake’s names on the poster.
Another source added: “In the original film Anna got top billing over Blake.
“She thought it was a no-brainer that the same would happen this time around. But Blake didn’t see it that way.
“She fought, through her reps to get top billing over Anna, who refused to bow to Blake’s demands.”
MailOnline also reports how the warring Hollywood beauties have agreed on a staggered billing, which sees Blake’s name on top but in smaller font on the right hand side.
Instagram fans flocking to see the new film promo on Amazon Prime’s account appeared quick to agree.
One posted: “LMAO WHY IS BLAKE’S name so high who gave her access to canva.”
A second added: “Why is Blake’s name higher than Anna’s?! They really thought that was a good idea?!”
A third mused: “I feel sorry for any actor or actress that is in a movie with Blake Lively. At this point they are just Collateral damage.”
One then quipped: “Thoughts and prayers to Anna Kendrick.”
LEGAL WOE
Blake, who plays Emily Nelson in Another Simple Favor, is tackling her new project against her tough legal backdrop.
In her lawsuit last year, she accused Justin of fat-shaming her, showing her nude videos and pictures, and claimed he and his team orchestrated a smear campaign to ruin her reputation.
In response, the director, 40, has come out guns blazing with a federal suit against Blake, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and two publicists.
Documents seen by The U.S. Sun claim Lively set out to make Baldoni the “real-life villain in her story,” and schemed against him to deflect from the actress being seen as “tone-deaf” during the press tour.
He is asking for $400 million in damages after being dropped by his agency, WME, which also reps the Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging alum and her husband.
Justin, who denies the claims, had an award for “advocating on behalf of women and girls” taken away after Lively filed her complaint.
Justin claimed Blake organized a “takeover strategy” so she could have the final word in the movie, which is based on the book by Colleen Hoover.
He also claimed Blake forced the director and his family to miss the film’s premiere in August when she demanded he didn’t attend.
He said security at the premiere escorted his group to the theater’s basement.
He also claimed Blake didn’t read Hoover’s book when they were working on the script together.
