Rebel Wilson’s co-producers on her musical comedy The Deb allege the actor is sabotaging the film’s long-delayed release so she can buy them out at a reduced cost.
Wilson is now the subject of three legal claims related to the film’s stalled release, including a threat of defamation action by The Deb’s leading actor, Charlotte MacInnes.
The Pitch Perfect star is already being sued for defamation by three of the film’s producers in the US and production company AI Film is seeking damages in the NSW Supreme Court.
The Deb was a joint production between AI Film and Wilson’s company Camp Sugar, featuring Wilson both in the director’s chair and on-screen in a starring role.
A joint venture between Wilson and AI Film called Dunburn Debutantes Commissioning Company (DDCC) was formed to hold the rights to The Deb and split all revenue.
The project imploded after Wilson allegedly made a series of derogatory Instagram posts about fellow producers Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron and Vince Holden in mid-2024.
Wilson used social media pages to accuse the trio of sexual harassment, embezzlement and obstructing her directorial debut’s release in cinemas, all of which they have vehemently denied.
AI Film alleges in its Australian legal claim that Wilson has engaged in conduct ‘for the purpose of damaging [its] business and reputation’, according to court documents filed in the NSW Supreme Court.
Rebel Wilson’s co-producers on her musical comedy The Deb have alleged the actor is sabotaging the film’s long-delayed release so she can buy them out at the lowest cost
Wilson is now the subject of three legal claims related to the film’s release, including a threat of defamation action by The Deb’s leading actor, Charlotte MacInnes (above)
The production company further alleges Wilson has attempted to put pressure on AI Film and DDCC to sell The Deb to her ‘for a significantly reduced price and for the financial advantage of Camp Sugar and/or Wilson’.
AI Film claims in the lawsuit Wilson’s motive can be inferred by ‘the nature of [her] conduct and its likely effect’ and cites correspondence allegedly suggesting she is trying to buy the movie outright.
Daily Mail put AI Film’s claims to Wilson’s management in the US but they did not respond and Wilson is yet to file a response in the Supreme Court.
Solicitor Patrick George of law firm Giles George wrote to Wilson’s lawyer in December last year stating several ‘noteworthy’ Australian distributors had expressed an interest in acquiring the film.
Mr George’s letter ‘noted that Wilson’s support of the film was vital and fundamental to its sale and successful release and that inaccurate and negative statements… threatened to frustrate this process’.
According to AI Film’s claim, Wilson’s lawyer Bryan Freedman of Linear Freedman Taitelman + Cooley wrote back ‘making further disparaging comments about Ghost and Cameron’.
Mr Freedman wrote to Mr George: ‘Wilson is currently in active discussions to outright purchase The Deb (the ‘Film’) and all associated rights and title.’
The production company alleges Mr Freedman’s letter included threats ‘to pursue all claims and damages should AI Film or any agents acting on its behalf interfere with that business opportunity’.
Wilson’s US management did not respond to requests for comment about that alleged correspondence.
The Deb was a joint production between AI Film and Wilson’s company Camp Sugar. Left to right are the film’s stars Natalie Abbott, Rebel Wilson, Charlotte MacInnes and Stevie Jean
AI Film issued a statement after filing its lawsuit in the NSW Supreme Court.
‘These proceedings are regrettable but essential to ensure The Deb’s timely release,’ the company said. ‘It’s a joyous, fun film, and we are sure that audiences are going to love it.’
MacInnes issued her own statement: ‘I love this film and I can’t wait for it to be released… it would be wonderful if these proceedings can help make that happen.’
Wilson has accused Ghost, Holden and Cameron of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ toward 26-year-old Charlotte MacInnes, which the rising star and producers have denied.
She specifically claims MacInnes complained about sexual advances from Ghost and then changed her story to land a new role.
After MacInnes finished shooting The Deb, Ghost cast her as Daisy in Florence Welch’s musical Gatsby: An American Myth in the show’s pre-Broadway run at Boston’s A.R.T.
MacInnes told the Daily Mail in September last year: ‘There is no truth to the allegations made involving me.’
‘I made a statement to the film team when this was first said in September 2023 and am saying this now to draw a line under it,’ she said.
Wilson accused The Deb’s co-producers of sexual harassment, embezzlement and obstructing her directorial debut’s release in cinemas, all of which they have denied
‘Making false accusations undermines real victims and I won’t be the subject of a fabricated narrative.’
Late last week MacInnes sent Wilson a concerns notice threatening defamation action in either the NSW or Western Australian Supreme Court.
In documents filed to the Los Angeles Superior Court, MacInnes claimed she informed Wilson she was never sexually harassed by Ghost.
‘I was deeply disturbed by this behaviour by Wilson, who was the director of the film and in a position of authority over me,’ MacInnes told the US court.
Daily Mail put MacInnes’s claims about Wilson’s behaviour to her US management but they did not respond.
Wilson first became embroiled in a legal battle over The Deb when she accused the producers of embezzlement and misconduct. They countered by filing the US defamation lawsuit.
That lawsuit claims Wilson made false and derogatory statements about the producers, including the accusations of engaging in inappropriate conduct towards MacInnes.
Wilson called her co-producers’ NSW Supreme Court action an act of ‘spiteful toxic behaviour’ in a lengthy Instagram post last month.
‘Apparently I’m being sued in Australia?’ she began. ‘It makes no sense.
Charlotte MacInnes has sent Wilson a concerns notice threatening defamation action. Left to right are The Deb’s stars Natalie Abbott, Rebel Wilson, Charlotte MacInnes and Stevie Jean
‘As the director, producer and co-star who nurtured a project called The Deb for five years from a three-page idea into a gorgeous feature film – I wish nothing more than to have this film released and have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to get this to happen.
‘To say otherwise is complete nonsense. I’m so proud of the film!’
‘In my opinion this is continued bullying and harassment from UK financiers of the project Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron and Vince Holden.
‘They tried to prevent the film from premiering there (they lost) and now they’ve tried to stop the film being released because of a baseless US lawsuit and now a further Australian one.’
Wilson went on to say it was ‘imperative the movie is released’ and added it was ‘sad’ to see the hard work of ‘so many Australians’ involved in the film go to waste.
‘Contractually as financiers they have the power to sell or release/distribute the film,’ she wrote. ‘They haven’t done so.
‘It’s been a year since the film has been completed and ready to go in cinemas. Instead, in my opinion they have continued this spiteful toxic behaviour.’
Wilson then revealed the first song in The Deb is called F*** My Life and released it for fans to hear ‘because if these f***wits aren’t going to release the movie I may as well’.
The Supreme Court matter, in which Wilson has filed a cross-claim, is next listed for a directions hearing on October 17.
