Rebel Wilson’s court fight over her film The Deb has become much smaller after a Los Angeles judge threw out most of her claims against the producers. She had accused them of fraud, harassment, and contract breaches, but almost all of those claims were rejected as too vague or not supported by specific facts.
One main claim is still active: intentional infliction of emotional distress against producer Amanda Ghost, which focuses on whether Ghost’s conduct toward Wilson was extreme and caused serious harm. The same case also still includes some limited issues involving AI Film, a company tied to the movie’s financing and deals.
Ghost, Gregor Cameron, and Vince Holden produced The Deb with Wilson, and they have also sued her for defamation over public statements she made about their conduct on the film. Wilson’s earlier filings described Ghost as having a history of unethical behavior, while Ghost’s side says those attacks are part of a smear campaign and not backed by solid proof.
Smear Sites, Credits, and Overseas Disputes
The conflict escalated in 2024 when Wilson criticized the producers in social media posts and interviews, saying they bullied her and mishandled money on The Deb. In reply, the producers said her stories were false and harmful, and they updated a July 2024 defamation complaint to focus on anonymous “smear websites” aimed at Ghost.
A judge in Los Angeles has now allowed limited evidence-gathering into those sites, including one called “amandaghostsucks.com,” which allegedly used racist language and compared Ghost to an “Indian Ghislaine Maxwell.” Court documents claim a crisis-communications firm linked to Wilson discussed harsh online content about Ghost, but Wilson denies being behind any smear campaign. At the same time, a credit dispute has played out: records show the Australian Writers’ Guild gave main screenplay credit on The Deb to Hannah Riley and listed Wilson only for “additional writing.”
There have also been related legal proceedings in Australia tied to the movie’s financing and production, in which courts have closely examined whether Wilson’s accusations are supported by detailed evidence. Together, these steps have shifted attention from Wilson’s original fraud narrative toward questions about online attacks, reputations, and exact proof for each serious claim.
Unreleased Film and Industry Lessons
As of mid‑January 2026, The Deb has not been released in theaters or on major streaming platforms, and no wide-release deal has been announced. Trade reports say the ongoing lawsuits and public accusations have made buyers cautious, even though agencies and producers are still looking for ways to sell the film.
With fraud and other high‑damage claims thrown out in Los Angeles, any money Wilson might recover there would likely come only from narrower contract issues or her emotional distress claim. She can still try to appeal the judge’s decision or work toward a settlement, but appeals courts often hesitate to overturn detailed rulings on how lawyers write complaints.
Legal experts and industry outlets say this case shows how important clear contracts and written records are for independent films, especially on credits, back‑end pay, and creative control. They also note that judges demand specific, well‑supported facts for accusations like fraud, embezzlement, or sexual misconduct, even when social media seems to favor one side.
The outcome of the remaining claims and the defamation suit may guide how filmmakers, producers, and financiers plan their legal protections and crisis responses on future mid‑budget projects.
Sources:
- Deadline – Rebel Wilson Suffers Blow In Legal Fight With ‘The Deb’ – January 15, 2026
- The Hollywood Reporter – Court Dismisses Rebel Wilson’s Lawsuit Against ‘The Deb’ – January 14, 2026
- Rolling Stone – Judge Guts Rebel Wilson’s Lawsuit, Allows Probe of ‘The Deb’ Smear Campaign – January 13, 2026
- Tribune – Rebel Wilson’s Lawsuit Over ‘The Deb’ Gutted as Judge Dismisses Claims – January 14, 2026
- Variety – Rebel Wilson Lawsuit Drastically Scaled Back by L.A. Judge – January 16, 2026
- Deadline – How Rebel Wilson’s ‘The Deb’ Descended Into Chaos – December 12, 2025