If you’re anything like me, you probably spent a good chunk of last year following the absolute whirlwind that was the It Ends With Us press tour. It was messy. It was everywhere. And honestly, it left a lot of us wondering what exactly Blake Lively would do next to move past the drama. Well, we finally have an answer, and it’s not another heavy Colleen Hoover adaptation.
The Blake Lively movie new project on everyone's radar is officially titled The Survival List. Lionsgate picked this one up, and it sounds like a total 180 from the tear-jerkers she’s been doing lately. Think less "emotional trauma" and more "shipwrecked on a tropical island with a guy who has no idea what he’s doing."
What is The Survival List Actually About?
Basically, Lively is playing a character named Annie. She’s this high-brow, slightly intense reality TV producer who gets stuck working on a show hosted by a guy named Chopper Lane. He’s supposed to be this world-famous survival expert—the kind of guy who looks great in a khaki vest and knows how to start a fire with two sticks, or so everyone thinks.
The twist? They get shipwrecked.
Once they’re actually stranded on a deserted island, Annie realizes Chopper is a total fraud. He knows zero about survival. Zilch. So, the "high-brow" producer has to step up and actually keep them both alive while they wait for rescue. It’s being billed as an action romantic comedy, which feels like the perfect lane for Lively. She’s always had that sharp, dry wit that works so well when she’s playing someone who is smarter than everyone else in the room.
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Why this matters for Blake's career
Honestly, after the 2024-2025 cycle, she needs a win that isn't overshadowed by "who likes who" on a film set. The Survival List is being produced by Marc Platt—the guy behind Wicked—and written by Tom Melia, who wrote the indie hit Rye Lane. That’s a heavy-hitting team.
The Simple Favor Sequel is Already Here
If you haven't been keeping up with your streaming queues, you might have missed that Another Simple Favor actually hit Prime Video on May 1, 2025. It feels like just yesterday we were all obsessed with those tailored suits and gin martinis from the first movie.
This time around, Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) and Emily (Blake) head to Capri, Italy. Emily is getting married to a rich Italian businessman, but because it’s a Paul Feig movie, the wedding is basically a front for murder, betrayal, and a whole lot of fashion.
I’ll be real: the reviews were a bit of a mixed bag. Some critics felt it was just more of the same, while others (myself included) just enjoyed seeing those two play off each other again. There’s a specific kind of chemistry between Kendrick’s "suburban mom energy" and Lively’s "glamorous sociopath energy" that just works.
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What Happened to the Other Projects?
You might remember hearing about a few other things Blake was supposed to be doing. Hollywood is a graveyard of "announced" projects that take forever to actually happen.
- Lady Killer (Netflix): This is the one I’m most excited about, but it’s been in development hell since 2021. It’s based on a Dark Horse comic about a 1950s housewife who is secretly a contract killer. Diablo Cody is writing it. As of early 2026, we’re still waiting on a director and a concrete filming start date.
- The Husband’s Secret: This was supposed to be another Liane Moriarty adaptation (she wrote Big Little Lies). For a while, Blake was attached to star as Cecilia Fitzpatrick. However, production status has been "in development" for years, and recent reports suggest it might be stalled or undergoing a total creative overhaul.
- Seconds: This is actually a directing project for Blake. It’s an adaptation of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novel. Edgar Wright wrote the script. We haven't heard much lately, but it's still on the books.
Dealing With the "It Ends With Us" Aftermath
We can't talk about a Blake Lively movie new without acknowledging the elephant in the room. The fallout with Justin Baldoni was real. There was a point in late 2025 where it seemed like every headline was about their legal battles and behind-the-scenes friction.
A lot of fans wanted to know: "Will they ever make It Starts With Us?"
The short answer is: don't hold your breath. While the first movie was a massive financial success, grossing over $350 million, the relationship between the leads is reportedly beyond repair. Universal is moving forward with other Colleen Hoover books—like Reminders of Him, which is slated for a February 13, 2026 release—but Blake isn't involved in that one. She’s clearly moving on to produce her own content where she has more creative control.
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What to Watch Next
If you’re looking to keep up with what’s actually happening versus just rumors, here is the roadmap:
- Check out Another Simple Favor on Prime Video. If you liked the first one, it’s a fun, breezy watch with great Italian scenery.
- Keep an eye out for casting news on The Survival List. They haven't announced who is playing Chopper Lane yet. My money is on someone like Glen Powell or maybe a total wildcard like Ryan Gosling if they want to lean into the "fraudulent survivalist" comedy.
- Follow the Lady Killer updates. If that movie finally gets a director, it’ll likely be Blake’s next big "prestige" play for awards season.
The era of Blake Lively just being "Ryan Reynolds' wife" or "the girl from Gossip Girl" is long gone. She’s effectively moved into the "Actor-Producer" tier where she’s calling the shots on her own sets. Even if The Survival List is just a fun rom-com, it represents a shift back to the kind of lighthearted, star-driven movies that theaters have been missing lately.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, set a Google Alert for "The Survival List casting." The male lead announcement will tell us exactly what kind of tone this movie is going for. Also, if you haven't seen The Shallows yet, go back and watch it—it’s actually the best proof that Blake can carry a "trapped on an island/water" movie entirely on her own.