Rebel Wilson making headlines for getting caught up in $3 million legal dispute over her directorial debut, The Deb. The creators of the documentary film AI Film are suing Wilson. They allege she violated a series of contracts in her capacities as a shareholder, director, producer, and actor. This unprecedented legal battle has played out on two continents, with landmark rulings coming down from both Australia and the United Kingdom.
The outrage quickly intensified beyond the norm. Wilson accordingly filed an amended cross-complaint against AI Film and its producers—Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron, and Vince Holden—in the then-appropriate forum: London. In this cross-complaint, Wilson made eyebrow-raising claims of financial misconduct, coercion, and harassment against the producers. Things took a much more serious turn when The Deb’s lead, Charlotte MacInnes, was served a deposition while in the UK! She still has to testify in front of a subpoena hearing in California.
Wilson’s legal counsel, barrister Sue Chrysanthou, called the deposition an “intimidation” tactic meant to “harass and intimidate” MacInnes. Chrysanthou argued strongly for a temporary injunction. Absent it, the plaintiffs and witnesses would face exorbitant financial hardships while unsuccessfully defending themselves in California courts.
The legal tensions between Wilson and the producers intensified quickly and substantially. You may recall that in October, the self-proclaimed philosopher sued the actress for defamation in federal court. In the lawsuit, she argues that Wilson’s statements were defamatory, slanderous, and malicious. That they hurt her career.
AI Film’s lawsuit accuses Wilson of ignoring MacInnes’s repeated denials of abuse, suggesting that this conduct reflects malice and knowledge on Wilson’s part. The current litigation marks a very visible battleground between artistic aspiration and legal obligation.
Despite these legal challenges, Wilson has told critics that she remains committed to the film’s release. She stated, “I want nothing more than to have this film released and have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to get this to happen.”
Rialto Distribution has acquired distribution rights to The Deb for Australia & New Zealand. At the same time as this campaign goes forward, they are preparing for a wider theatrical release in January, along with more courtroom skirmishes. This acquisition further highlights the commercial potential of the film despite ongoing standoffs.
Wilson’s prior commitments to fixing whatever problems resulted from her engagement with The Deb. Such issues would be the province of New South Wales. The resulting legal drama continues to add daunting layers of complicating factors to those terms of deal.
As these lawsuits move forward, it is not yet clear how this tension will play out. The producers of The Deb, along with AI Film, are seeking resolution in the supreme court against Wilson and her company, Camp Sugar. The consequences of this case may affect the core of what all the parties do in profound ways.