Legal Battles Delay Release of The Deb

Rebel Wilson faces potential defamation proceedings in Australia after Charlotte MacInnes, the lead actress in Wilson's directorial debut The Deb, issued a concerns notice alleging Wilson falsely claimed MacInnes was the victim of sexual misconduct by a producer and later changed her story for career advancement. MacInnes asserts she repeatedly denied any such misconduct and that Wilson continued the accusations despite being informed, causing serious harm to MacInnes' reputation. Wilson has 28 days to offer a correction or apology before formal legal action may begin. The dispute is part of a broader set of legal battles between Wilson and the film’s producers in both the US and Australia, involving claims and counterclaims of defamation, misconduct, and sabotage concerning the film's release. The producers deny Wilson's allegations, and MacInnes has stated that making false claims undermines real victims. The Deb premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival but remains unreleased due to the ongoing legal disputes.