The director ofThe Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantshas commended the movie’s actors' public support of Blake Lively amid her current career controversies. Lively gained her breakout role in that coming-of-age story from the director Ken Kwapis in 2006, continued to find success in its sequel, asSerena van der Woodsen inGossip Girl, and recently with the romantic dramaIt Ends with Us. While thisColleen Hoover adaptationwas a hit at the box office, the public fallout between Lively and her co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, led to several lawsuits, with both suing each other for defamation. Thecontroversies between Lively and Baldonihave been a hot topic ever sinceIt Ends With Uspremiered, and out of the spiraling effect of their public feud, accusations of sexual harassment emerged. In a candid interview withScreenRant,Kwapis has spoken about how Lively’sSisterhood of the Traveling Pantsco-stars have supported herand commended it as a “rare” example of enduring friendship in Hollywood. This was in reference to the joint statement released onInstagramby America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel stating “we stand in solidarity” with Lively.
ScreenRant: It’s wild when you think about how all of them went on to lead their own series.
Ken Kwapis:Yeah, but that wasn’t a surprise to me. What’s most surprising, though, is how close they’ve remained. I only say it’s surprising because it’s rare in show business for things like that to happen. Usually, you work on a film and people have an intense relationship for a short amount of time, and they go their separate ways. But in this case, those four actually became a real-life sisterhood.
ScreenRant: They reunited for Barbie, and then I know the girls wrote that letter supporting Blake. What do you think it was about the original experience that created that bond?
Ken Kwapis:Each of the four characters is so different. I feel like it’s a perfect example of, if they had been more similar to each other, there might not have been such a wonderful chemistry. But each of them is so distinct, and Ann created such unique characters that [elevated] the dynamic they created as a group. That’s the reason we’re talking right now: each of the four individual performances is wonderful, but together on the screen, there’s a chemical thing going on that I don’t want to take any credit for. I felt excited just to turn on the camera and eavesdrop on this wonderful energy between the four of them.
ScreenRant: I mentioned this letter, and only if you’re comfortable talking about it, but they talked about safe work environments on the set. I’m curious what your perspective is, given that you’ve directed these four women, on creating those safe environments.
Ken Kwapis:I make a point of trying to create an atmosphere on the set where people feel safe, acknowledged, and free to play and feel respected. All I can say is when we made Sisterhood, I felt like one of the reasons that the four actors had such a good experience on the picture was that we did that. I say we, not just me, because we as a group created a really healthy working environment for all the actors. But, in particular, for those four.
What Kwapis' Comments Mean For The Future Of The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants
The Entire Cast Still Speaks Highly Of One Another
TheIt Ends With Uscontroversy was a highly publicized dispute between Lively and Baldoni that’s still ongoing and has yet to be resolved. With other figures like LIvely’s husband Ryan Reynolds attached to the controversy, her close friend Taylor Swift even being subjected to a now-withdrawn subpoena (viaForbes), it’s been difficult to separate fact from fiction as each has accused the other of staging a smear campaign. However, out of all this controversy,The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsstars remained firm in their support.
The ongoing support ofThe Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsstars means that a third movie in the series could still be on the cards, with producer Debra Martin Chase stating (viaPeople) that she “would love” to make another movie with Lively in 2024. Discussions about a stage musical version ofThe Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantshave also been ongoing since 2018, so it looks like the franchise could still thrive despite Lively’s ongoing legal battles.
Our Take On Ken Kwapis’ Comments
Kwapis Speaks Highly About All The Co-Stars
Ken Kwapis’ comments highlight the ongoing supportThe Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsstars still have for each other, nearly two decades since the first movie was released. While the full details of the Lively-Baldoni controversy will have to play out in the courts, it’s great that all the film’s co-stars have managed to maintain such a firm friendship amid all the difficulties and tabloid interference of modern Hollywood.The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantswas a movie that celebrates female friendship, and Kwapis’s comment prove the stars have really internalized its values.
