Rebel Wilson’s attorneys have cleared a hurdle in their attempts to depose an actress in Wilson’s film “The Deb” as part of their client’s defense of a defamation suit brought by three of the film’s producers.
Wilson says United Kingdom resident Charlotte MacInnes initially reported she had been sexually harassed by one of the producers before rescinding her allegation and returning to London. On Tuesday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Thomas Long agreed to certify for forwarding to the English High Court a “letter of request” regarding MacInnes.
“The Deb” is a 2024 film that was Wilson’s directorial debut and Wilson alleges in her court papers that MacInnes was forced to shower with plaintiff/producer Amanda Ghost and that MacInnes additionally had a breakdown on set following an interaction with Ghost. Wilson has hired a UK solicitor, Simon McMenemy, to preside over the deposition in accordance with British law, Wilson’s court papers further state.
Ghost, Gregor Cameron and Vince Holden originally sued Wilson for defamation in July 2024 after the actor posted to her 11 million Instagram followers that the producers of the film had engaged in theft, bullying and sexual misconduct.
Wilson has countersued the plaintiffs, accusing the producers of a “troubling pattern” of “theft, bullying and sexual misconduct” and saying they inflated the film’s budget and split the extra money between them. According to Wilson’s court papers, MacInnes initially reported to Wilson that Ghost had sexually harassed her, which prompted Wilson to confront all of the producers.
However, MacInnes subsequently rescinded her report of harassment, according to Wilson’s court papers, which further state that whether that harassment actually occurred is central to the case. MacInnes was served with a deposition notice for Oct. 22, but then went back to London, Wilson’s court papers state.
MacInnes’ deposition testimony could reveal whether she was pressured to rescind her harassment reports and whether she was bribed to do so, according to Wilson’s court papers.