Rebel Wilson has been served with a legal complaint from the lead star of her directorial debut, “The Deb.”
In court documents filed in Western Australia on Thursday, actress Charlotte MacInnes hit Wilson with a concerns notice indicating her intention to sue for defamation over Instagram posts in which Wilson claimed MacInnes was a victim of misconduct at the hands of one of the movie’s producers.
Wilson alleged in a July 2024 Instagram video that there had been “inappropriate behavior towards the lead actress of the film.” She went on to share several other stories claiming MacInnes had complained to her about being sexually harassed during filming.
After MacInnes denied those allegations, Wilson then made a series of social media posts implying MacInnes had changed her story in exchange for career opportunities, according to the documents filed Thursday.
Wilson’s statements “carried seriously defamatory imputations damaging to Ms. MacInnes’ personal and professional reputation,” read the documents cited by News.com.au.
“MacInnes has strenuously and repeatedly denied that she was a victim of sexual assault, prompting Wilson to accuse her on Instagram of lying in exchange for favors (e.g. being awarded the lead role in ‘Gatsby’),” her legal team said in a statement to People. “Wilson has continued to publicly spread these accusations, prompting today’s legal notice.”
Wilson, whose alleged behavior was in breach of her contract, reportedly has 28 days to offer a correction or apology before formal legal action begins.
Thursday’s filing was just the latest in an ongoing legal battle related to the film’s release. In addition to accusing the producers of misconduct, Wilson alleged they embezzled funds from the movie’s budget and engaged in retaliatory behavior.
Shortly thereafter, the producers filed a defamation suit against Wilson in U.S. court, saying she fabricated the allegations in her own retribution for their refusal to grant her writing and music credits, The Guardian reported.
Wilson filed a countersuit against the producers last September, accusing them of sexual misconduct, bullying and theft.
AI Film Production Limited, the UK company behind the “The Deb,” also filed a lawsuit, accusing Wilson of attempting to block a distribution deal with the intent of buying the rights to the movie herself.
“The Deb” — based on Hannah Reilly’s stage musical about two young outcasts on a quest to attend their town’s annual debutante ball — premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, but has not had a theatrical release.
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