The Director of The Housemaid Shares How Blake Lively Was Engaged

Director Paul Feig has shared how actress Blake Lively, a long-time friend, played a key part in casting his latest film, The Housemaid. The psychological thriller is adapted from Freida McFaddens 2022 novel of the same name.

The movie features Amanda Seyfried as Nina Winchester and Brandon Sklenar as Andrew Winchester, who hire Millie Calloway, played by Sydney Sweeney, as their housemaid.

Blake Livelys Casting Assistance

Feig explained that Lively, who previously collaborated with him on the 2018 film A Simple Favor and its 2025 sequel Another Simple Favor, helped him with casting decisions for The Housemaid. The pair became close friends during their earlier projects, and Lively recommended actors she admired.

Speaking at a special New York City screening on December 2, Feig said, Blake Lively had just worked with Brandon. She just kept going on and on about how great he is. And I met him and was like, Yes, you are great and I love you. Sklenar had previously starred alongside Lively in the 2024 drama It Ends With Us.

Additionally, Livelys previous collaboration with Feig on Another Simple Favor led to the casting of Michele Morrone, whom Feig selected for the role of Enzo. He noted, When I read the part of Enzo, its like, I think this is kind of written for Michele, absolutely.

Feigs Passion for the Project

The Ghostbusters director shared that he was deeply inspired by McFaddens book and immediately reached out to Lionsgate about directing its adaptation. It was just me calling, like, I have to do this movie. I know you think Im a comedy directorI have to do this movie. I know how to do it. And it was one of the best experiences of my life, Feig recalled.

He also admitted feeling the responsibility of staying true to the books fans. The biggest thing was getting the cast right and getting our adaptation right. And then just putting on the screen everything thats described in the movie in the best possible way, he added.

The Housemaid is set to hit theaters on December 19.

Author: Sophia Brooks