Paul Feig Explains Why A Simple Favor 2 is Not Getting a Theatrical Release

When news dropped that a sequel to A Simple Favor was being made, with all the key players in place to return, fans of the film naturally assumed the film would be debuting in theaters. However, as more details emerged, it became clear that the film, released by Amazon MGM, would be streaming exclusively on Prime Video and would not be receiving a theatrical run. Given the first film’s respectable box office take and favorable reviews, the news was a little surprising, but now director Paul Feig is providing more details about why A Simple Favor 2 went that route, and it all comes down to Amazon MGM really wanting the film.

During a chat with The Wrap, Feig explained that not only did Amazon MGM want the sequel, but they also made moves to show that they would support it fully. Feig, whose upcoming comedy Jackpot! is also headed to Prime Video, admits that they were courted by others, but Prime Video was the best choice, especially given the international aspects of the sequel’s plot. It appears that Amazon MGM was willing to provide the money necessary to allow the sequel to work.

“You go where they want to make it, you know? And Amazon really wanted this. It was great. We had a few other suitors for it, but they just really got it, and they were willing to put the money in that we needed to do it, and do it the way we wanted to do it. You know, it’s international now, it takes place in Italy, and I wanted to shoot in Italy, and not, you know, make Prague look like Italy. No slam against Prague! So they’ve been just amazing partners on this. I’ve been absolutely so happy.”

A Simple Favor Was a Box Office Hit When it Was Released

Understandably, Feig and his creative team would take the sequel to where it’s truly valued, but there is box office potential for the sequel given how the first movie performed. Made for just $20 million, A Simple Favor grossed $97 million worldwide and received solid reviews from critics, registering an 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with stars Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick also earning positive appraisals for their performances. The first film has only grown in popularity since its release in 2018, recently performing extremely well on Netflix when it was made available on the streamer earlier this year.

Based on the novel of the same name by Darcey Bell and written by Jessica Sharzer, A Simple Favor is part Gone Girl thriller and a wicked dark comedy that follows a wholesome vlogger named Stephanie Smothers (Kendrick) who strikes up an unlikely friendship with the glamorous and mysterious, Emily Nelson (Lively). Friendship opposites attract, but things turn on their head when Emily goes missing and Stephanie realizes she didn’t know her friend as much as she thought she did. The movie also starred Crazy Rich Asians break-out star, Henry Golding, who is also returning for the follow-up.

The sequel will take things to the island of Capri, Italy, where Emily is set to marry an Italian businessman, who also happens to be loaded. When the film was announced, a synopsis was released, reading, “Along with the glamorous guests, expect murder and betrayal to RSVP for a wedding with more twists and turns than the road from Marina Grande to the Capri town square.” Feig seems pleased with the progress of the sequel so far, admitting it is “deep” in post-production and that a recent test screening “went through the roof.”

“I actually did a test screening of it last week, and it went through the roof. So, feeling very good. Now I’m just fine-tuning. I’m only six weeks into my director’s cut, but it’s a movie I’ve seen so clearly since we had so much time to prep for it. And we threw out one script during the writers strike and rewrote the whole thing. So I’m really excited about it. And the audience response was just so, so exciting.”

A release date has yet to be announced for
A Simple Favor 2
. The original movie is still currently streaming on Netflix.