Rebel Wilson to take stand in fiery film showdown

Hollywood star Rebel Wilson has been criticized in court after sacking her original lawyers and letting her new legal team down during a high-profile movie fight.

The 45-year-old and his firm, Camp Sugar, are being sued by the production company behind rural NSW musical comedy The Deb, which Wilson produced and directed and also starred in.

He will testify in September to defend allegations that he breached his contract with AI Film Production, made misleading statements and told damaging lies.

The Pitch Perfect star was criticized in the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday by the production company’s lawyer for not adhering to the case’s timeline.

Sue Chrysanthou SC also criticized Wilson for firing his former lawyers days before the directions hearing.

“There was no explanation given as to the timing of this decision and why he could not wait until today to make this decision,” he said.

“(There is no explanation) why when they terminated their attorney on Tuesday, they did not have other attorneys ready to go.”

Wilson’s new attorney was forced to plead ignorance about many details of the case, including the arguments the actor planned to use in his defense.

Dauid Sibtain SC said, “From the context of the agreements between the parties it can be inferred that it is a matter of good faith.” he said.

“I don’t know what we said that context was.”

He accepted that Wilson’s failure to comply with orders to give evidence was unacceptable.

Deb premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024 but has been prevented from wider distribution due to ongoing legal action.

Wilson also faces a defamation lawsuit filed in the Federal Court by MacInnes over social media posts alleging the young actor revealed he had been subjected to sexual harassment.

MacInnes’ denial that any sexual abuse took place did not deter Wilson, who stood by the allegations.

In California, Ghost and Holden sued Wilson for defamation over allegations of embezzlement, sexually harassing MacInnes, and blocking the film’s release.

Wilson attempted to file a countersuit, but in January a judge indicated he would likely strike out all of his claims from his complaint.

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