Australian A-lister Rebel Wilson has secured a major court victory after co-producers of her debut film accused her of sabotage, lying and breaching contracts.
The Pitch Perfect star directed, co-produced and starred in The Deb, a musical comedy that became the battleground for multiple legal battles in Australia and the US.
It had a budget of A$22m (US15.4m, £11.5m) but made just $335,000 (US$235,000, £175,284) at the local box office, which Wilson’s co-producers allege could be traced to her false and derogatory statements about them online.
The Bridesmaids star claimed in posts from July 2024 that producers Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron and Vince Holden tried to block The Deb’s release, embezzled money and behaved inappropriately towards the film’s star.
The producers alleged Wilson caused their company financial and reputational damage in an attempt to devalue her debut film so she could purchase it from them.
On Friday, Justice Elisabeth Peden in the New South Wales supreme court awarded the trio $10 (US$7, £5) in damages and otherwise dismissed the summons.
Wilson had denied her co-producers’ allegations and countersued, claiming their involvement in the film was marked by a troubling pattern of illicit, egregious behaviours, including theft, bullying and sexual misconduct.
The judge awarded her $359,000 (US$251,830, £187,868) plus interest in a brief decision, which will be followed by a written judgment.
It was the second victory for Wilson after she was cleared of defaming her debut film’s star Charlotte MacInnes earlier this year following a fiery 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 confided in Wilson – and later recanted – that she felt uncomfortable when the film’s co-producer Amanda Ghost asked to have a shower and a bath together.
MacInnes denied making or retracting a complaint, insisting 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.