Final showdown set in Rebel Wilson’s fiery fight with co-star

After two weeks, the curtains are closing on the fiery high-profile lawsuit between Hollywood actor Rebel Wilson and the star of her directorial debut film.

The pair had nothing but mutual admiration for each other when they began working together on musical comedy The Debwhich Wilson directed, co-produced and starred in.

But three years later, the Pitch Perfect star and Charlotte MacInnes face off in a heated defamation case in Federal Court.

“Unfortunately, what started as a dream has become a nightmare,” Wilson wrote in her affidavit.

The sentiment was echoed by MacInnes, who claimed the older actor defamed her in a series of social media posts suggesting she was a liar and a sellout who dismissed a sexual misconduct complaint to further her career.

The reports claimed that the rising star had confided in Wilson – and later recanted – that she felt uncomfortable when the film’s co-producer, Amanda Ghost, asked to shower and bathe together.

MacInnes has denied making or withdrawing a complaint, insisting she did not feel uncomfortable when the pair shared a bath in swimwear after Ghost suffered a medical episode in September 2023.

The legal battle will conclude today with closing remarks from both sides.

When the hearing began two weeks ago, accusations of dishonesty were being hurled from both quarters.

“(This is) a malicious allegation against my client that she sold the allegation of sexual harassment in return for her own professional and commercial advantage,” said MacInnes’ lawyer Sue Chrysanthou SC.

She argued that Wilson was involved in an increasingly tense dispute with her co-producers over the budget, and in a bitter battle for writing credit at the time.

The Hollywood actor took out libel insurance the day after she found out she wouldn’t be credited as a writer The Deb so she could “go ballistic on social media,” Chrysanthou said.

“Ms. Wilson was not a whistleblower trying to protect a young actress,” she claimed.

“She is, we say, raising this non-existent allegation, which has been brushed aside for her own commercial advantage.”

Wilson’s lawyer Dauid Sibtain SC dismissed the suggestion as “ridiculous”.

He argued that MacInnes dishonestly changed her story in exchange for future opportunities, which have since materialized in the form of a starring role and a six-figure recording contract.

“She changed her story… to ensure her career as an actress and musician progressed by appeasing Ms. Ghost,” Sibtain told the court.

“Ms. MacInnes knew that Ms. Ghost was the person who had the power to make her acting and music dreams come true.”

He argued that the young actor had not suffered any damage to her reputation or experienced a slowdown in her career following the social media posts, contrary to her claims.

Justice Elizabeth Raper is expected to reserve her decision after closing speeches conclude today.

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