Rebel Wilson, the renowned Hollywood actress, is now embroiled in a legal dispute concerning her directorial debut, which has led to accusations of defamation against her by a rising star in the acting world.

The project at the center of the controversy is “The Deb,” a musical centered around a debutante ball in a rural town. This film was showcased at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024 but has not been publicly viewed since then.

Charlotte MacInnes, an emerging talent featured in the film, has filed a defamation lawsuit against Wilson. The suit is in response to comments Wilson reportedly posted on social media in July 2024.

The Federal Court is set to address the defamation claims for the first time this Friday. This development follows MacInnes’ initiation of legal proceedings just a month ago.

Wilson, 45, made allegations on her Instagram account, claiming that MacInnes confided in her about experiencing inappropriate behavior from a producer, who allegedly requested to bathe with her.

MacInnes, 26, has refuted these claims, stating to the Daily Mail in September last year, “There is no truth to the allegations made involving me.”

Rebel Wilson’s latest legal battle involving her directorial debut is set to premiere in court as she stands accused of defaming an up-and-coming actor

‘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.

‘Making false accusations undermines real victims and I won’t be the subject of a fabricated narrative.’ 

But that did not deter Wilson, who reiterated her claims and added that MacInnes had been given a job by the producer and secured a record deal.

‘(That) should be all the proof you need as to why she has now changed her story,’ she said on social media.

It is the third legal stoush to involve the embattled 2024 film directed by Wilson after production company AI Film accused the star of trying to sabotage its release.

The case, which has been lodged in the NSW Supreme Court, claims the Pitch Perfect actor made highly derogatory public comments to that end.

AI Film issued a statement after filing its lawsuit.

‘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.’

The Deb, a musical about a country town debutante ball, screened at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024 but has not been seen since. Left to right are the film’s stars Natalie Abbott, Rebel Wilson, Charlotte MacInnes and Stevie Jean

The comments are also the focus of a defamation suit lodged against Wilson in the Superior Court of California by the film’s producers, Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron, and Vince Holden.

The legal action alleges Wilson engaged in conduct calculated to damage the reputations of her co-producers and wanted credit for work she did not do.

In July, Wilson called her co-producers’ NSW Supreme Court action an act of ‘spiteful toxic behaviour’ in a lengthy Instagram post.

‘Apparently I’m being sued in Australia? It makes no sense,’ she began.

‘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.

Emerging actor Charlotte MacInnes (pictured) is suing her far more famous counterpart for defamation over comments made on social media in July 2024

‘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.’

Last month, 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 had put MacInnes’s claims about Wilson’s behaviour to her US management, but they did not respond at the time.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit their website 1800respect.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.