Just a few weeks after getting into a high-profile conflict with former co-star Sacha Baron Cohen, Rebel Wilson has made it clear that she’s in a brand new show biz battle—this time with the producers of The Deb, Wilson’s (presumably) upcoming directorial debut. We say “presumably” because Wilson took to social media today to claim that the film’s producers, named as Amanda Ghost, Gregory Cameron, and Vince Holden, were blocking the movie’s release, including a planned debut this week at the Toronto Film Festival.
In a lengthy Instagram post, Wilson accuses the trio of blocking the movie’s debut as retaliation against her, after she publicized allegations of wrongdoing on their part late last year. Wilson says she brought forward accusations of both inappropriate behavior toward performers on the film, as well as embezzlement, and says that in response, “Since I reported that behavior, I have been met with absolute viciousness and retaliatory behavior.” She says that manifested most recently in the form of the producers threatening to bury the movie, causing it to miss its Toronto premiere.
In a statement to Deadline, representatives for the producers refuted Wilson’s claims, saying that, “RW’s allegations are false, defamatory, and disappointing. Her self-promotional claims are clearly intended to cause reputational harm to the individuals who have supported her directorial debut film The Deb — a joyous movie that we’re very proud of and are looking forward to sharing with audiences. For her to promote a false narrative to advance her own agenda undermines the film and all the people who worked on this project.” The statement does not directly address Wilson’s claim that the producers—who previously worked on films like the 2023 Tetris—allegedly blocked The Deb, a musical filmed in Australia, from getting a release at Toronto. It’s not clear when the film will now get its official premiere, although Wilson has held out hope it still might manage to air at the Toronto Festival.