Paul Feig dismisses reports of tension between Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick, calling their chemistry “magic.

The rumour mill surrounding Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick has officially been silenced—thanks to A Simple Favor director Paul Feig.

After reports claimed the Gossip Girl alum and her co-star had clashed over the promotion of their new film Another Simple Favor, Feig set the record straight during a special screening in New York City. Speaking to PEOPLE magazine, he praised the pair’s undeniable on-screen magic.

“Yeah, it’s really natural,” Feig gushed about their chemistry. “There’s something about the two of them. They just, they come together and it’s magic.”

Feig’s remarks come after a Daily Mail article suggested tension between the two actresses, reportedly linked to Lively’s ongoing lawsuit allegedly complicating promotional activities. It was claimed that Kendrick had been seeking to distance herself from her co-star—but according to Feig, nothing could be further from the truth.

“They were both kind of equally excited, I will have to say, because they both really loved these characters,” he added. “It was not hard at all to talk them into returning.”

Fans of the 2018 dark comedy-thriller will be thrilled to know that Lively and Kendrick have reprised their roles in the sequel. Another Simple Favor sees Blake Lively’s character Emily, freshly released from prison after her murder conviction, inviting Stephanie Smothers—played by Kendrick—to her extravagant Italian wedding.

The first film followed the twists and turns of Emily’s mysterious disappearance and Stephanie’s quest to uncover the truth. The sequel promises even more intrigue, with the duo’s complicated dynamic once again taking centre stage.

Feig’s comments have reassured fans that any behind-the-scenes drama is pure fiction. If anything, it sounds like Lively and Kendrick’s real-life camaraderie is as strong as ever, ensuring that Another Simple Favor will deliver the same darkly delightful energy that made the original a hit.

With the film’s promotion now in full swing and both stars back in the spotlight, audiences can look forward to seeing their electric performances light up the screen once more—drama-free.