Rebel Wilsontook to social media on Wednesday, July 31 to express her distaste for the producers of her upcoming directorial debut,The Deb, following news of the lawsuit against her for defamation. Despite not formally responding through her lawyers, the actress fired back via an Instagram story.
Reported byDeadline, Wilson spoke directly to her film’s billionaire investor Len Blavatnik to stop funding and protecting producers Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron and Vince Holden. She spoke about the lawsuit and retaliation by the producers in response to her accusations.
“Clearly these recent press articles and constant retaliations against me for speaking the truth on my small Australian movie are FALSE… All I did was tell the truth about these absolute f***wits – now they launch a bogus defamation suit and bogus articles to inflict further harm.”
Also reported first byDeadlineon July 18, following the defamation lawsuit announcement,Wilson hired Hollywood attorney Bryan Freedman as a lawyer on her litigation team. Despite not formally responding to the new amendments to the case, Wilson’s lawyer, Freedman, spoke following Wilson’s story on Wednesday.
“The number of people who back up Rebel’s experience is staggering.”
What Are the Details of the Lawsuit?
Wilson began her accusations by publicizing that theproducers had cut a Toronto International Film Festival spot forThe Deb.Wilson also made public that Ghost, Cameron and Holden were guilty ofinappropriate behavior towards the lead actress of the film, as well as embezzlement and retaliation. The producers immediately denied the allegations and responded in the form of a lawsuit.
The producers have also come back swinging, claiming Wilson’s accusations as “self-promotional claims that are clearly intended to cause reputational harm”. They have hired their own acclaimed Hollywood lawyer, Brown Rudnick LLP’s Camille Vasquez, who previously worked on the Amber Heard vs Johnny Depp case. A 12-page hearing was then given to Wilson and her lawyers.
“This lawsuit is about holding Rebel accountable for her attempts to bully Plaintiffs into conceding to her unreasonable demands by spreading vicious lies without regard for the irreparable damage her reckless words would cause on the hard-earned personal and professional reputations of Plaintiffs.”
Their lawsuit was amended this week by bringing up the dispute between Wilson and Sacha Baren Cohen where portions of Wilson’s autobiography were redacted in the UK and Wilson’s homeland of Australia under Britain’s loose libel laws. This follows Wilson’sallegations of Cohen’s bad behavior in her book.
The producers also added that Wilson demanded that the plaintiffs provide her a record label with an external music group, which was well outside the producer’s power. Another addition to the claim described the complaints that came from Wilson after not receiving writing credits onThe Deb,which she denies. The case is set to have a hearing on November 26 before Judge Thomas D. Long.
What isThe Deb?
Wilson’s debut is described as a “musical-comedy based on an Australian musical about a Debutante ball set in the outback.” The film stars Rebel Wilson, Charlotte MacInnes, Natalie Abbott, and Tara Morice and follows a high school outcast farm girl, Taylah, who believes the upcoming Debutante ball will change her life. Following some disruption caused by her cousin from the city, Maeve, they find themselves looking for dates for the Deb as well as finding acceptance of themselves.
Best Rebel Wilson Movies, Ranked
From Senior Year to Pitch Perfect, here are Rebel Wilson’s best movies.
Taking inspiration from popular Australian filmsMuriel’s WeddingandThe Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,Wilson wanted this movie to have similar charm, comedy and culture as those beloved films. Wilson has long been part of multiple comedy movies. Her repertoire of acting work includes the musical comedy franchise,Pitch Perfect,as well asJojo Rabbit, Isn’t It Romantic, andThe Hustle.
Despite the current controversies, Wilson’s feature film debut,The Debis set to be released at the Toronto International Film Festival as the closing premiere on September 15.
