Rebel Wilson Robert Okine/Getty Images Share on Facebook Share on X Share to Flipboard Send an Email Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Print the Article Post a Comment Logo text The production company behind Rebel Wilson's directorial debut, The Deb, has stepped into the legal battle over the film's release, accusing the actress of blocking a distribution deal with the intent of buying the rights to the musical herself. In a lawsuit filed on Thursday in Australia, AI Film alleges a prospective distributor withdrew its offer after Wilson threatened to sue to prevent the movie from coming out. It claims breach of contract and seeks unspecified damages, as well as an apology and a court order preventing Wilson from continuing to make allegedly false statements about misconduct by the film's producers. Related Stories Movies Rebel Wilson on Reuniting With Anna Camp in 'Bride Hard' and Her Action Star Future: "I'm Not Going to Be in the 'John Wick' Franchise" Movies 'Bride Hard' Review: Rebel Wilson's Laugh-Free Action Comedy Is an Invitation You'll Want to Decline Last year, Wilson said that she had reported the producers when she "found out not minor things, big things" related to "inappropriate behavior towards the lead actress of the film," Charlotte MacInnes, and theft of movie funds. The producers, in turn, sued for defamation, saying that Wilson lied in a maneuver to release The Deb at the coveted closing spot of the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and secure a writing credit. The actress later filed a countersuit doubling down on accusations of theft and sexual misconduct, which MacInnes has denied. "I want nothing more than to have this film released and have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to get this to happen," Wilson said in an Instagram post responding to Thursday's lawsuit. According to the complaint, Wilson has been lying to those involved in the production of The Deb that AI Film is undermining efforts to secure distribution. She allegedly told writer Hannah Reilly and composer Megan Washington that WME, the movie's international sales agent, hasn't been able to do so because of a lawsuit the production company filed and negative press instigated by a crisis public relations team it brought on to handle the fallout - both of which aren't true, AI Film says. Wilson is "continuing to publish false and derogatory statements about the other producers and Al Film, including repeating the false allegation that they were trying to block the release of the Film," writes Patrick George, a lawyer for the company," in the complaint. "In fact, it was Wilson who was undermining the attempts of the producers and Al Film to secure distribution deals for the Film by continuing to make public and false allegations, and by deliberately undermining the negotiations with potential distributors." After AI Film demanded that Wilson participate in distribution talks, Bryan Freedman, her lawyer who didn't respond to a request for comment, replied the actress is "currently in active discussions to outright purchase The Deb and all associated rights and title," according to the lawsuit. He allegedly threatened to sue if the company interfered. AI Film says Wilson forced its hand when Sydney-based entertainment company Kismet Movies pulled its distribution offer after she said she'd file a lawsuit to block the film's release. Wilson has maintained that MacInnes falsely claimed that she wasn't sexually harassed by Ghost. In a post on The Deb's Instagram account, she wrote that the movie "will never get released because of her lies and support for the people blocking the film's release." She added, "So glad you got your record deal Charlotte at the expense of the 300 people who worked on The Deb and really wanna see it released." THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up Skydance Media Paramount Co-CEOs Thank Staff As Company Prepares "For a New Era" Under Skydance The Pitt 'The Pitt' Production Assistants Launch Landmark Unionization Drive (Exclusive) Keanu Reeves Keanu Reeves Parts Ways With Longtime Manager (Exclusive) Skydance Media Nearly Done: Paramount-Skydance Merger Gets Deal Close Date international A Chat With Imax's CEO On How Global Box Office Dynamics Are Shifting Paramount Global "This Is a Dangerous Thing": Why One FCC Commissioner Is Sounding the Alarm on Paramount's Deal Skydance Media Paramount Co-CEOs Thank Staff As Company Prepares "For a New Era" Under Skydance The Pitt 'The Pitt' Production Assistants Launch Landmark Unionization Drive (Exclusive) Keanu Reeves Keanu Reeves Parts Ways With Longtime Manager (Exclusive) Skydance Media Nearly Done: Paramount-Skydance Merger Gets Deal Close Date international A Chat With Imax's CEO On How Global Box Office Dynamics Are Shifting Paramount Global "This Is a Dangerous Thing": Why One FCC Commissioner Is So