Star Australian actor Rebel Wilson faces more legal action, accused of trying to block distribution of the first film she directed.
In action filed in the NSW Supreme Court on Thursday, production company AI Film alleges Wilson falsely accused it of trying to block the release of her directorial debut.
The lawsuit also alleges Wilson falsely accused a producer of sexual misconduct towards the lead female actor on the movie.
The film is the 2024 musical The Deb, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
Months earlier, Wilson is accused of using her Instagram account to make “false and derogatory statements about the film’s other producers, with Wilson’s mother company Camp Sugar and AI Film splitting the rights”.
“They included that they had engaged in inappropriate conduct toward the lead actress in the film, embezzled the film’s funds and were trying to block the release of the film,” the filings read.
The sexual misconduct allegations centre around actor Charlotte MacInnes, who Wilson claimed on Instagram was subject to inappropriate advances by one of the film’s producers.
“When an actress on her first feature film is asked by a producer to stay in the same apartment as them, and then makes a complaint to me as the director saying said producer ‘asked her to have a bath and a shower with her and it made her feel uncomfortable’ – what am I supposed to do?” Wilson posted.
MacInnes has denied the allegations and said “false accusations undermine real victims and I won’t be the subject of a fabricated narrative”.
Wilson has since reiterated the allegation and said MacInnes had since 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.
The suit accused Wilson of undermining producers’ attempts to secure a distribution deal for The Deb by “continuing to make public and false allegations and by deliberately undermining the negotiations with potential distributors”.
It does not specifically allege why she would try to prevent distribution of her own film.
A separate lawsuit filed in the US claims Wilson wanted “credit for work she did not do, and to overshadow young, upcoming artists who truly deserved the credit”.
Wilson was not given a writing credit for the film.
The legal action seeks damages, an apology and corrective advertising.
AI Film said the legal proceedings were “regrettable but essential to ensure The Deb‘s timely release”.
MacInnes also backed the legal action.
“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,” she said.
-AAP
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