Rebel Wilson is facing a defamation lawsuit from the producers of her directorial debut, “The Deb,” following her public accusations of misconduct. The legal action comes just days after Wilson, 44, took to Instagram to allege that producers Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron, and executive producer Vince Holden engaged in “bad behavior” on set, including embezzling funds and blocking the film’s premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
In a video posted on July 10, Wilson claimed she encountered “absolute viciousness and retaliatory behavior” after reporting the alleged misconduct. She accused the producers of preventing the film from being showcased at TIFF, a significant platform for her as a first-time female director.
The producers responded by filing a defamation suit in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, on July 12. They denied Wilson’s claims of embezzlement and inappropriate behavior, instead accusing her of unprofessional conduct. According to the lawsuit, Wilson “flatly refused to collaborate with Plaintiffs, absconded from the Film for months at a time, behaved unprofessionally with employees of the Film, and repeatedly made unauthorized and improper disclosures about the Film.”
The legal document also states that the conflict escalated when Wilson sought a co-writing credit and rights to the film’s original music. The producers allege that Wilson’s goal was to overshadow young, upcoming artists who deserved the credit. They explained that they withdrew “The Deb” from TIFF due to ongoing credit and licensing disputes instigated by Wilson, which they claim they tried to resolve in good faith.
The lawsuit further alleges that Wilson attempted to leverage her social media popularity to spread “malicious and baseless lies” about the producers to her 11 million Instagram followers. The producers claim this was a vindictive attempt to destroy their reputations with false statements.
Wilson responded to the lawsuit by posting an on-set photo on Instagram, asserting, “It’s not defamation if it’s the TRUTH.” She continued to share additional photos and comments about the lawsuit on her Instagram Stories, claiming she had numerous witnesses to support her allegations.
A source close to the situation told PEOPLE that the entire cast and crew of “The Deb” are supporting Wilson, with many leaving comments of encouragement on her Instagram page. The source added that at the film’s wrap party, many praised Wilson, calling it the best film they had ever worked on.
The producers, represented by Johnny Depp’s former attorney Camille Vasquez, are seeking more than $35,000 in damages. They accuse Wilson of “bullying,” vindictive behavior, and shirking her responsibilities as a director by disappearing from the set for extended periods. The lawsuit also claims that Wilson fabricated a story about Ghost sexually harassing a lead actress in the film, which the actress in question has denied.
The complaint details a contentious relationship between Wilson and the producers, who allege that Wilson tried to seize writing credit from Hannah Reilly, a recipient of Wilson’s theatre scholarship. The Australian Writers’ Guild had previously decided that the screenplay credit belonged to Reilly, with Wilson receiving an “additional writing by” credit.
The producers claim that Wilson’s actions have caused severe financial, professional, and reputational harm, jeopardizing the success of the film. They allege that Wilson’s statements about embezzlement and sexual harassment are false and were made to promote her own interests.
In her Instagram video, Wilson expressed her frustration and disappointment, stating that the producers’ actions were preventing the film from premiering at TIFF. She described the situation as “beyond devastating” and accused the producers of unethical behavior.
A spokesperson for the producers called Wilson’s allegations “false, defamatory, and disappointing,” stating that her claims were intended to cause reputational harm to those who supported her directorial debut. They emphasized that “The Deb” is a joyous movie they are proud of and look forward to sharing with audiences.
“The Deb,” which stars Wilson and comedian Shane Jacobson, centers on a country school girl preparing for her debutante ball. The film also features actress Natalie Abbott and newcomer Charlotte McInnes, with filming locations including country towns in New South Wales and Sydney.
Wilson had previously revealed that she turned down major offers in the United States to make her directorial debut in Australia, citing a heart connection to the project. She expressed pride in the film and disappointment over the ongoing disputes with the producers.
As the legal battle unfolds, the future of “The Deb” remains uncertain, with both sides standing firm in their positions. The outcome of the lawsuit will likely have significant implications for Wilson’s career and the film’s release.
Source: PEOPLE, Rolling Stone, DailyMail.com
