SYDNEY, Australia – Holden’s production company, A.I Film, has filed its own lawsuit in the NSW Supreme Court on Thursday morning, escalating a dispute over the film The Deb. The legal action, which splits rights with Rebel Wilson and her mother’s company Camp Sugar, alleges Wilson spread false information online and breached contractual duties, effectively halting the film’s release.
- A.I Film has filed a lawsuit against Rebel Wilson in the NSW Supreme Court.
- The company alleges Wilson spread false information, breaching contracts and blocking the film’s release.
- The core dispute involves Wilson’s public allegations of sexual misconduct against a producer towards actress Charlotte MacInnes.
- MacInnes denies the misconduct allegations.
- The lawsuit claims Wilson threatened an Australian distributor, causing them to withdraw their distribution proposal.
A.I’s legal team claims Wilson threatened the film’s Australian distributor, stating she would obtain an injunction to prevent its release. This threat, they allege, directly led the distributor to withdraw its distribution proposal. This legal maneuver highlights the deep divide in the ongoing conflict surrounding The Deb.
A central element of this prolonged battle stems from Wilson’s public accusations of sexual misconduct. She alleged that a producer acted inappropriately towards MacInnes in a Bondi penthouse. However, according to the lawsuit, MacInnes has consistently denied any such misconduct occurred.
MacInnes has firmly stated her position, quoted in the lawsuit as saying, “Making false accusations undermines real victims and I won’t be the subject of a fabricated narrative.” Despite this denial, Wilson allegedly amplified her claims in September last year via the film’s official Instagram account, stating a producer had asked MacInnes to shower with them.
Wilson reportedly wrote, “The fact this girl has been employed now by this ‘producer’ in the lead role of production … and given a record label – should be all the proof you need as to why she has now changed her story.” In May of this year, Wilson allegedly accused the 25-year-old lead actress of lying and supporting producers. This accusation followed MacInnes being filmed singing Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” on a billionaire’s yacht at the Cannes Film Festival.
Rebel Wilson on the set of The Deb.
Wilson allegedly commented on MacInnes’s appearance in Cannes, stating, “Charlotte MacInnes in a culturally inappropriate Indian outfit on Len Blavatnik’s luxury yacht in Cannes – ironically singing a song from a movie that will never get released because of her lies and support for the people blocking the film’s release.” She added, “So glad you got your record deal Charlotte at the expense of the 300 people who worked on The Deb and really wanna see it released.”
MacInnes told the publication on Thursday that her primary goal is the release of The Deb. “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,” MacInnes stated. The Australian lawsuit is seeking damages, an apology, and corrective advertising from Wilson or Camp Sugar.
Sources close to the matter suggest the dispute is linked to the Australian Writers Guild’s decision not to grant Wilson a writing credit for the film. Hannah Reilly is credited as the sole screenwriter for the film, having written The Deb for the stage.
Lawyers involved in a separate U.S. defamation case contend that Wilson’s “obsession with taking credit … at the expense of young, talented women” has escalated into a smear campaign. Reilly previously stated that the Australian Writers Guild ruling was followed by “a series of personal attacks and false accusations, most recently targeting Charlotte.”
A.I Film conveyed that the movie and the efforts of its hundreds of collaborators deserve wider audiences. “These proceedings are regrettable but essential to ensure The Deb’s timely release,” a statement read. “It’s a joyous, fun film, and we are sure that audiences are going to love it.” Wilson’s representatives have been contacted for comment.
