A recent announcement reveals that Blake Lively is set to star in and produce The Survival List, a new romance comedy drama. Lively has had a fascinating career, from Gossip Girl fame to leading roles in genre-bending films like A Simple Favor and The Shallows. Over the years, she has transitioned into more creatively driven projects, taking on various producing roles.

Recently, Lively starred in It Ends With Us, the much-anticipated adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, which follows florist Lily Bloom as she finds herself in an abusive relationship. It Ends With Us grossed $351 million on a $25 million budget. However, production was rocked by polarizing reactions and the ongoing legal dispute between Lively and directing co-star Justin Baldoni.

Now, Lionsgate has announced it has acquired a new romantic action comedy, which Lively will both star in and produce. The Survival List is written by Tom Melia (Rye Lane, Brᴀssic), and Oscar-nominated and award-winning producer Marc Platt (Wicked: For Good, 2025’s How to Train Your Dragon) is in talks to join Lively in producing.

The Survival List will follow a highbrow TV producer called Annie, who finds herself shipwrecked on a deserted island with reality show host and famous survival expert, Chopper Lane. However, Annie soon learns Chopper is a fraud, leaving her to figure out how to keep them alive. Yet, strangely, their extreme circumstances cause them to discover an unlikely chemistry.

What This Means For Blake Lively

The Survival List is Lively’s first major project since the It Ends With Us controversy, and it appears to be a carefully chosen next step. The film’s tone is definitely lighter, the stakes are more personal, and Lively’s producing role seems to suggest that she is maintaining and expanding her control over the types of stories she wants to tell.

Pairing Lively with a smart script from award-winners like Melia and a heavyweight producer like Platt suggests The Survival List is aiming for both mainstream appeal and creative credibility. This marks a strategic move to re-center public attention on the movie’s talents and their versatility, rather than the off-screen problems of Lively’s last movie.

Our Take On The Survival List

Lively’s involvement in The Survival List comes at a complicated point in her career. While she remains a marketable name with studio backing, public sentiment around Lively has certainly changed, and with the legal drama still ongoing, audiences are divided. Therefore, this new film could demonstrate Lively’s decision to move forward quietly, although others may see it as avoidance.

As a project, The Survival List checks the boxes for commercial appeal, with its high-concept, comedic tension, and recognizable lead. It’s clear that it’s meant to be a tonal reset: lighter material, safer territory, and a return to the kind of polished, mainstream entertainment in Lively’s comfort zone. However, unfortunately, whether audiences embrace it may depend on Lively’s public reception.