S Poddar
In a humorous and slightly sarcastic social media update, veteran actress Sharon Stone revealed that she was offered the role and then suddenly removed from the forthcoming sequel, “Another Simple Favor,” which is being directed by Paul Feig.
The Amazon MGM Studios film, starring at SXSW and coming out on May 1, brings Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick together in the starring roles. Stone’s casting had been kept secret until she confirmed the news in a post on an ENews Instagram reel regarding the movie. “I LOVED being cast and taken away from my part unexpectedly for no reason at all LOVED it ,” she wrote.
The film continues the story from the 2018 hit, “A Simple Favor.” The plot follows Stephanie (Kendrick) and Emily (Lively) as they head to coastal Italy for Emily’s wedding to a wealthy businessman. Stephanie, now an author, has written a book recounting the events from the first film. Emily, who was recently released from prison, crashes Stephanie’s book reading to invite her to the wedding, though her true motives may be darker.
Returning actors are Henry Golding, Andrew Rannells, Bashir Salahuddin, Joshua Satine, Ian Ho, and Kelly McCormack. Variety’s SXSW review called the sequel “more twists and less fun” than its original, comparing it to “Knives Out” with a cartoonish “White Lotus” feel.
Stone’s announcement has raised questions regarding the circumstances under which she was dropped. Though the specific reasons are not yet known, her tongue-in-cheek yet blunt post suggests that there may have been tension involved.
This serves to remind that Hollywood is an unpredictable business, where casting decisions can be reversed based on changes in creativity or production needs. For an actress of Stone’s caliber—celebrated for performances in “Basic Instinct” and “Casino”—such an action is bound to attract attention.
Though this mishap derailed the buzz, Stone’s career continues to be effervescent. Her current role in prestige TV and independent features still speaks of her adaptability and staying power.
As “Another Simple Favor” is ready for release, viewers can’t wait to see how the film will play out and if Stone’s public statement will further reveal her surprise departure.
