Rebel Wilson's The Deb defamation trial likely delayed to March 2027
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The gist
Rebel Wilson's lawyer asked to push her defamation trial back more than two months while battling breast cancer.
The delay would extend a long legal fight over her directorial debut The Deb.
Background
Rebel Wilson is a Hollywood actor-director who directed The Deb, a musical film that flopped at the box office. Producers Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron and Vince Holden are suing her for defamation, alleging she breached contracts by sabotaging the film's release with false and derogatory statements; Wilson is pursuing counterclaims for alleged bullying, intimidation and breach of contract. The case is the second major court battle for Wilson this year, after Australia's Federal Court ruled in July 2026 that she did not defame The Deb actress Charlotte McInnes.
How it unfolded
- 2024The Deb, Wilson's directorial debut, was filmed near Orange, NSW, and was a box-office flop.
- Jul 2026The Federal Court ruled Wilson did not defame The Deb star Charlotte McInnes in a series of social media posts.
- Oct 16, 2026The parties held a scheduled telephonic meet and confer to address discovery matters, including the health of Wilson's lawyer.
- Oct 21, 2026Wilson's lead lawyer Allyson K Thompson filed a 24-page application asking to push the January 19 trial back more than two months as she battles breast cancer.
- Oct 22, 2026Deadline reported the filing was agreed by all principals and asked Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Thomas Long to also push back December summary judgment hearings.
- Oct 23, 2026A California judge rejected a bid to sanction Wilson over accusations she lied under oath and manipulated evidence, and Wilson was awarded $359,000 in unpaid fees after winning her legal fight with The Deb's producers.
- Nov 30, 2026Ms Thompson was placed on medical leave for surgery through January 4, 2027, working reduced hours due to side effects of the disease.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Wilson's filing states her lead counsel, Ms Allyson Thompson, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and the parties agreed in principle to continue the trial to March 22, 2027.
- Producers
- The Deb's producers Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron and Vince Holden sought sanctions against Wilson, accusing her of "fraud on the court" and of sabotaging the film's release with false and derogatory statements.
- Public
- Wilson told Instagram followers she doesn't think she'll ever have a bikini body but is grateful for the one she has, and uses GLPs from time to time alongside Pilates and strength training.
Still unverified
The parties agreed in principle to continue the trial to March 22, 2027, or a later date mutually acceptable to the parties and the Court; the trial is described as likely to be delayed, not yet confirmed. The producers' accusations that Wilson lied under oath and committed "fraud on the court" were rejected in a bid for sanctions by a California judge.