Sharon Stone Slams A Simple Favor, Accuses Blake Lively Film of Firing Her

In a bombshell revelation that’s reigniting conversations about ageism and power in Hollywood, Sharon Stone has come forward to claim she was fired from the 2018 mystery-comedy A Simple Favor, starring Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick.

The acclaimed actress, known for iconic roles in Basic Instinct and Casino, did not hold back as she slammed the production, suggesting she was removed unfairly and without just cause.

In a recent interview with a European publication, Stone revealed for the first time that she had been originally cast in A Simple Favor and was deeply excited about the role.

But, according to her, things quickly took a dark turn behind the scenes.

“I was let go,” Stone said. “No warning. No explanation. I had already started preparing, I was emotionally invested.

Then I was just… gone. And no one had the decency to look me in the eye and say why.”

While she didn’t name names directly, many have pointed to director Paul Feig and the producers of the film as the decision-makers.

Stone, however, made it clear that the experience left her feeling disrespected, particularly in light of the film’s younger, fashion-forward cast and the narrative surrounding it.

“You have to ask yourself, why would they suddenly fire someone like me?” she said pointedly. “What was so threatening about me being in that film?”

Sources close to the production have since confirmed that Sharon Stone was, in fact, in early talks to join the cast, potentially as a supporting character with a major twist — though details of the character were never made public.

Rumors swirled at the time that scheduling conflicts and “creative changes” were behind her exit. But Stone now seems to suggest otherwise.

“It’s about control. It’s about power,” she said. “And yes, it’s about age. The idea that a woman over 60 can’t be sexy, can’t be dangerous, can’t be complex — it’s old thinking. And it’s still everywhere in this industry.”

The comments come at a time when Hollywood is undergoing a reckoning over how it treats veteran actresses.

While younger stars like Lively and Kendrick are celebrated for their roles in genre-bending, edgy films, women like Stone — despite decades of success — often find themselves sidelined or replaced.

Her remarks have sparked a wave of support across social media, with fans and fellow actors voicing their outrage.

“Sharon Stone is a legend,” tweeted one user. “The fact that she still has to fight for roles is infuriating. Ageism in Hollywood is real.”

Another wrote: “Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick are great, but there’s no excuse for firing Sharon Stone. She paved the way for so many.”

Others have speculated whether the tension on set was the result of personal politics or power struggles behind the scenes.

Though there’s no evidence that Lively or Kendrick were involved in the decision, Stone’s emphasis on being replaced without warning has left fans wondering who truly made the call — and why.

Representatives for the film, including director Paul Feig and Lionsgate, have yet to respond publicly to the allegations.

Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick have also remained silent on the matter, though insiders suggest that neither actress had casting control.

Still, the damage may already be done. Stone’s candid revelation not only pulls back the curtain on the making of A Simple Favor, but also adds another voice to the ongoing criticism of how older women are treated in Hollywood — often discarded despite their talent, legacy, and experience.

“This isn’t just about me,” Stone continued. “This is about every woman in this business who has ever been told she’s ‘too much’ or ‘too old’ or ‘not the right fit’ when what they really mean is that we don’t fit the mold they’re still clinging to.”

She went on to say that the experience nearly made her walk away from acting entirely, but instead, it reignited her determination to push boundaries and take back control of her narrative.

“I’m still here. I’m still strong. And I will tell the truth,” she said.

A Simple Favor, which received strong reviews and has since become something of a cult hit thanks to its stylish tone and twisted plot, may now be remembered just as much for the controversy it left behind.

As rumors swirl about a planned sequel, fans are already asking whether Stone might make a triumphant return — or whether the film will forever carry the weight of her absence.

In an industry where erasure happens quietly and too often, Sharon Stone is refusing to go quietly.

And in doing so, she’s sparking the kind of conversation that Hollywood still struggles to have — about power, perception, and the price of being a woman who refuses to be overlooked.

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