Rebel Wilson Hit With Explosive Defamation Warning Over ‘The Deb’ Drama

Rebel Wilson Hit With Explosive Defamation Warning Over ‘The Deb’ Drama originally appeared on Parade.

Rebel Wilson’s directorial debut, The Deb, is back in headlines—and not for box office news.

On Thursday, August 7, the film’s lead actress, Charlotte MacInnes, formally served the 45-year-old Pitch Perfect icon with what’s known in Australia as a “Concerns Notice.” It’s the legal warning that comes before a defamation lawsuit, giving the other party 28 days to fix things with a correction or apology before going to court.

According to MacInnes’ legal team, the action was taken after Wilson repeatedly claimed—publicly and on Instagram—that MacInnes, 26, had been sexually harassed by producer Amanda Ghost, and later lied about it.

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“Wilson has continued to publicly spread these accusations,” MacInnes’ attorneys said in a statement reviewed by People, adding that their client has “strenuously and repeatedly denied” any misconduct took place.

Per Deadline, the legal notice also states, “This was her first lead role in a film, and you cruelled her professional reputation before she could even enjoy the benefit of the success of the film as the lead actress.”

MacInnes has previously denied Wilson’s version of events. In a statement shared in 2023, she said: “There is no truth to the allegations made involving me. I made a statement to the film team when this was first said in September 2023, and I am saying this again now to draw a line under it. Making false accusations undermines real victims, and I won’t be the subject of a fabricated narrative.”

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This new filing adds to the growing legal fight surrounding The Deb, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024 but still hasn’t been widely released.

Last year, The Deb’s producers—Ghost, Gregor Cameron, and Vince Holden—sued Wilson in Los Angeles, claiming she falsely accused them of trying to block the film’s release and of bad behavior on set. Wilson responded with her own lawsuit, accusing the producers of misconduct including bullying, theft, and sexual harassment.

Separately, UK-based AI Film, one of the companies behind The Deb, filed a lawsuit against Wilson in Australia last month. The company claims Wilson deliberately sabotaged the film’s release to pressure them into selling her the rights.

In that lawsuit, AI Film is seeking damages, a public apology, and an order blocking Wilson from making any more damaging claims about the production.

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Despite everything, MacInnes still hopes the film will be released. “I love this film and I can’t wait for it to be released,” she said in a separate statement obtained by The Guardian. “It would be wonderful if these proceedings can help make that happen.”

Wilson has not publicly responded to MacInnes’ legal filing. Parade has reached out to her team for comment.

Rebel Wilson Hit With Explosive Defamation Warning Over ‘The Deb’ Drama first appeared on Parade on Aug 8, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 8, 2025, where it first appeared.