Rebel Wilson’s attorneys want a judge to order three producers of her film “The Deb” who are suing her for defamation to appear for depositions in the actress’ countersuit.
Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron and Vince Holden originally sued Wilson for defamation in Los Angeles Superior Court in July 2024 after Wilson told her 11 million Instagram followers that the producers of the film had engaged in theft, bullying and sexual misconduct. “The Deb” is a 2024 film that was Wilson’s directorial debut.
On Friday, the 45-year-old Australian actress’ attorneys filed court papers with Judge Thomas Long in advance of a Jan. 27 hearing arguing that nothing is preventing the trio from being deposed in the countersuit at this time. Wilson’s countersuit accuses the producers of a “troubling pattern” of “theft, bullying and sexual misconduct” and says they inflated the film’s budget and split the extra money between them.
Wilson’s lawyers contend that the producers are wrongfully citing her appeal of a ruling in the underlying case to justify not appearing for the depositions. In November 2024, the judge denied Wilson’s anti-SLAPP motion in the producers’ underlying case and his ruling is under appeal.
Wilson’s attorneys state that while the underlying case is stayed pending the outcome of the appeal, Wilson’s countersuit is not and that the producers are wrong to claim that it is.
“It is also worth noting that the other basis for Ghost not showing up for her deposition was because she resides in the UK (and) Ghost has argued that Wilson is not permitted to depose Ghost in California,” according to Wilson’s attorneys’ court papers. “This objection is not only wholly without merit but is intentionally evasive.”
Wilson’s lawyers further note that in addition to the underlying complaint and Wilson’s countersuit, Ghost has filed her own individual countersuit against Wilson and she did so in Los Angeles.
“She is seeking to avail herself to the laws and justice system of California and to now argue that she does not need to appear for a deposition in California is a blatant abuse of the discovery process,” Wilson’s lawyers state.
The state’s anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) statute is aimed at stopping people from using courts, and potential threats of a lawsuit, to intimidate those who are exercising their First Amendment rights.