It seems that Rebel Wilson's directorial debut is facing further challenges due to a new lawsuit claiming that the Bridesmaids star "deliberately sabotaged" the release of her film, The Deb.

In a surprising development for Wilson's The Deb, the production company responsible for her first directorial project — A.I Film — has initiated legal proceedings against the comedian in the NSW Supreme Court, as reported by the The Sydney Morning Herald.

According to the publication, A.I Film, which shares the rights to The Deb with Wilson and her company Camp Sugar, claims that Wilson spread false information online and violated her contract, ultimately impacting the film's release.

"Wilson threatened the Australian distributor of the film with an injunction to stop its release, even though the contractual documents clearly prevented her from obtaining such an injunction," the lawsuit alleges, as per documents obtained by the publication.

"As a result of that threat, the Australian distributor withdrew its proposal to distribute the film."

(Image source: Instagram / @rebelwilson)

This recent lawsuit adds to the ongoing legal battles surrounding Wilson's directorial debut with The Deb.

In July 2024, three producers of The Deb — Amanda Ghost, Gregory Cameron, and Vince Holden — filed a defamation lawsuit against Wilson in the Los Angeles County Superior Court after she released an Instagram video accusing them of sabotaging the movie’s premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September of that year.

"Experiencing the joy of having the movie selected is one thing, but then having the business partners involved in that movie turn around and say that, 'no, the movie can't premiere' is truly devastating," Wilson stated in her video.

(Image source: Instagram / @rebelwilson)

(Image source: Instagram / @rebelwilson)

"Why are they making these claims? Why are they preventing it from premiering in Toronto? This dates back to last October when I discovered inappropriate behavior by these business partners," the comedian continued.

"I reported their misconduct when I found out. These were not minor issues, but significant ones involving inappropriate behavior towards the lead actress of the film."

In court documents obtained by the Los Angeles Times last July, the producers accused Wilson of being a "bully."

"Rebel is a bully who will ignore the interests of others to advance her own," the LA lawsuit reportedly claims.

"Rebel tried to coerce Plaintiffs into giving her what she wanted by using her persona and platform, with millions of followers, to spread harmful lies about the Plaintiffs."

Wilson then posted an Instagram photo of The Deb cast on set in response to the 2024 defamation lawsuit.

"It's not defamation if it's the TRUTH (those 'producers' I mentioned in my last post have just filed a defamation suit against me and sent it to the press)," she wrote.

At that time, a spokesperson for the producers criticized Wilson's claims and told Deadline, "RW's allegations are false, defamatory, and disappointing."

The Deb eventually premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024 but is yet to be officially released.

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In November 2024, The Deb star Charlotte MacInnes claimed that Wilson falsely accused the three producers of sexually harassing and abusing her, despite MacInnes denying the allegations.

"I was deeply disturbed by this behavior and felt very bullied and harassed by Wilson, who was the director of the film and in a position of authority over me," MacInnes alleged in the court filings, according to The Guardian.

"I also understand there were claims that I was subjected to 'depraved sexual demands' and that 'MacInnes remains captive by Ghost and Cameron as she is transported from city to city with them, including Boston, New York, and London'," she stated, according to Us Weekly.

"These statements are completely false and absurd. I have no idea what could prompt Wilson and her attorney to fabricate such lies about me."

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In response to the lawsuit, Wilson countersued the producers, alleging that they had a pattern of intimidation and threats against her. However, the legal team representing the producers claimed that Wilson’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, sent emails threatening to "expose" one or more of the plaintiffs in a public filing that included references to "sex trafficking."

The producers' legal team also alleged that the comedian threatened Hannah Reilly, the film’s writer, who received sole screenplay credit for The Deb.

According to The Guardian, Reilly allegedly refused to give Wilson writing credits for the film. In response, the comedian reportedly sought arbitration through the Australian Writers’ Guild and sent an email to Reilly’s agent.

"Pursuing arbitration places your client at significant financial risk and also destroys any remaining relationship or support your client would receive from me and my associates in the industry," the email allegedly read, according to the publication.

Speaking with The Sydney Morning Herald, MacInnes expressed that she simply wants the film to be released. The publication reports that the Australian lawsuit is seeking damages, an apology, and for Wilson and Camp Sugar to cover the costs of corrective advertising.

Wilson has not yet publicly responded to the latest lawsuit.

Image source: Getty Images.