Rebel Wilson wins Australian court case as co-producers awarded just $10
The New South Wales supreme court dismissed the producers' claims over The Deb and awarded Wilson $359,000 plus interest on her countersuit.
At a glance
- Justice Elisabeth Peden awarded The Deb's co-producers A$10 in damages and otherwise dismissed their summons against Rebel Wilson.
- Wilson was awarded $359,000 plus interest on her countersuit, with a written judgment to follow the brief decision.
- Wilson was earlier cleared of defaming The Deb's star Charlotte MacInnes in a federal court hearing.
Rebel Wilson has won a court case in Australia over her debut film The Deb, with co-producers who accused her of sabotage awarded A$10 (US$7, £5) in damages.
Justice Elisabeth Peden in the New South Wales supreme court awarded the sum to producers Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron and Vince Holden on Friday and otherwise dismissed their summons, as reported by The Guardian. In a brief decision, with a written judgment to follow, the judge awarded Wilson $359,000 (US$251,830, £187,868) plus interest on her countersuit.
Wilson directed, co-produced and starred in The Deb, a musical comedy with a budget of A$22m (US$15.4m, £11.5m) that made $335,000 (US$235,000, £175,284) at the local box office. Her co-producers alleged that result could be traced to what they described as her false and derogatory statements about them online, and accused her of sabotage, lying and breaching contracts.
In posts from July 2024, Wilson said the producers tried to block the film's release, embezzled money and behaved inappropriately towards the film's star. The producers alleged she caused their company financial and reputational damage in an attempt to devalue the film so she could buy it from them.
Wilson denied their allegations and countersued, saying the producers' involvement in the film was marked by a troubling pattern of illicit and egregious behaviour, including theft, bullying and sexual misconduct.
Earlier defamation case
The ruling is Wilson's second court victory connected to the film. Earlier this year she was cleared of defaming The Deb's star Charlotte MacInnes following a federal court hearing.
MacInnes claimed Wilson defamed her in four social media posts that implied she was a liar and a sellout who walked back a sexual harassment complaint to further her career. The posts alleged the young actor had confided in Wilson, and later recanted, that she felt uncomfortable when co-producer Amanda Ghost asked to have a shower and a bath together.
MacInnes denied making or retracting a complaint, saying she had not been uncomfortable when the pair shared a bath in their swimwear after Ghost suffered a medical episode in September 2023. The federal court found none of Wilson's posts were defamatory.
Source: The Guardian World.
Questions and answers
- What did the court decide in Rebel Wilson's case against The Deb's producers?
- The New South Wales supreme court awarded co-producers Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron and Vince Holden $10 in damages and otherwise dismissed their summons. Wilson was awarded $359,000 plus interest on her countersuit, with a written judgment to follow.
- How much did The Deb make at the box office?
- The film had a budget of A$22m (US$15.4m, £11.5m) and made $335,000 (US$235,000, £175,284) at the local box office, according to the source.
- What happened in Rebel Wilson's defamation case with Charlotte MacInnes?
- MacInnes said four social media posts implied she was a liar and a sellout who walked back a sexual harassment complaint. The federal court found none of Wilson's posts were defamatory.
