Latest news with #TheDeb
Canada Standard
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Canada Standard
Rebel Wilson responds to 'The Deb' controversy
Washington [US], May 21 (ANI): Actress Rebel Wilson cleared the air after social media posts about 'The Deb' made headlines amid the ongoing legal fight surrounding the movie. In response to a video of 'The Deb' actress Charlotte MacInnes singing at Cannes from the yacht owned by the film's financier Len Blavatnik, The Deb's Instagram account posted stories with captions critical of MacInnes. Wilson is said to be in control of the account for the movie that does not have a release plan in light of the project's legal battle, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 'Charlotte MacInnes in a culturally inappropriate Indian outfit on Len Blavatnik's luxury yacht in Cannes -- ironically singing a song from a movie that will never get released because of her lies and support for the people blocking the film's release,' read one caption. A follow-up post included the message, 'So glad you got your record deal, Charlotte, at the expense of the 300 people who worked on The Deb and really wanna see it released,' as per the outlet. Wilson's team noted in a statement shared to address the posts, 'The entire Deb crew is looking forward for the film to finally be shown to the world. Rebel is so proud of this film and in awe of all of the hard work everyone involved put into the creation of her directorial debut.' Earlier, Wilson shared a video on Instagram accusing producers Amanda Ghost, Gregory Cameron and Vince Holden of embezzlement and sexual harassment. She also accused them of preventing the film from premiering at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The producers then sued Wilson for defamation and claimed that she was attempting to land a writing credit on the film, which led Wilson to countersue months later, as per the outlet. 'The Deb' is a musical film centring on a high school outcast played by Natalie Abbott, who teams up with her cousin (MacInnes), as the pair aim to shake up the upcoming debutante ball. Marking her feature directorial debut, Wilson helmed the movie from Hannah Reilly's screenplay, adapting the stage show that debuted in Sydney in 2022, according to The Hollywood Reporter. (ANI)
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rebel Wilson Responds to Latest ‘The Deb' Controversy as Legal Dispute Leaves Film in Limbo
Rebel Wilson is clearing the air after social media posts about The Deb made headlines amid the ongoing legal fight surrounding the movie. In response to video of The Deb actress Charlotte MacInnes singing at Cannes on Friday from the yacht owned by the film's financier Len Blavatnik, The Deb's Instagram account posted stories with captions critical of MacInnes. Wilson is said to be in control of the account for the movie that does not have a release plan in light of the project's legal battle. More from The Hollywood Reporter 'My Father's Shadow' Review: First-Ever Nigerian Film at Cannes Is an Elegant and Stirring Ode to Lagos 'It Was Just an Accident' Review: Iranian Auteur Jafar Panahi Returns to Cannes With an Artful Tale of Trauma and Revenge 'Love Me Tender' Review: Vicky Krieps Anchors a Hard-Hitting Chronicle of Motherhood and Sexual Freedom That Overstays Its Welcome 'Charlotte MacInnes in a culturally inappropriate Indian outfit on Len Blavatnik's luxury yacht in Cannes — ironically singing a song from a movie that will never get released because of her lies and support for the people blocking the film's release,' read one caption. A follow-up post included the message, 'So glad you got your record deal Charlotte at the expense of the 300 people who worked on The Deb and really wanna see it released.' In a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter to address the posts, Wilson's team noted that she remains focused on bringing the movie to audiences: 'The entire Deb crew is looking forward for the film to finally be shown to the world. Rebel is so proud of this film and in awe of all of the hard work everyone involved put into the creation of her directorial debut.' Last summer, Wilson posted a video to Instagram accusing producers Amanda Ghost, Gregory Cameron and Vince Holden of embezzlement and sexual harassment. She also accused them of preventing the film from premiering at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. The producers then sued Wilson for defamation and claimed that she was attempting to land a writing credit on the film, which led Wilson to countersue months later. THR reported in November that Wilson had lost a bid to dismiss the defamation lawsuit against her. In response to Wilson's claims, MacInnes has denied accusations that Ghost abused her. The Deb is a musical film centering on a high school outcast played by Natalie Abbott, who teams up with her cousin (MacInnes), as the pair aim to shake up the upcoming debutante ball. Marking her feature directorial debut, Wilson helmed the movie from Hannah Reilly's screenplay, adapting the stage show that debuted in Sydney in 2022. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 'The Goonies' Cast, Then and Now "A Nutless Monkey Could Do Your Job": From Abusive to Angst-Ridden, 16 Memorable Studio Exec Portrayals in Film and TV The 10 Best Baseball Movies of All Time, Ranked
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rebel Wilson responds to 'The Deb' controversy
Actress cleared the air after social media posts about 'The Deb' made headlines amid the ongoing fight surrounding the movie. In response to a video of 'The Deb' actress Charlotte MacInnes singing at Cannes from the yacht owned by the film's financier Len Blavatnik, The Deb's account posted stories with captions critical of MacInnes. is said to be in control of the account for the movie that does not have a release plan in light of the project's legal battle, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Charlotte MacInnes in a culturally inappropriate Indian outfit on Len Blavatnik's luxury yacht in Cannes -- ironically singing a song from a movie that will never get released because of her lies and support for the people blocking the film's release," read one caption. A follow-up post included the message, "So glad you got your record deal, Charlotte, at the expense of the 300 people who worked on The Deb and really wanna see it released," as per the outlet. Wilson's team noted in a statement shared to address the posts, "The entire Deb crew is looking forward for the film to finally be shown to the world. Rebel is so proud of this film and in awe of all of the hard work everyone involved put into the creation of her directorial debut." Earlier, Wilson shared a video on Instagram accusing producers Amanda Ghost, Gregory Cameron and of embezzlement and sexual harassment. She also accused them of preventing the film from premiering at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The producers then sued Wilson for defamation and claimed that she was attempting to land a writing credit on the film, which led Wilson to countersue months later, as per the outlet. 'The Deb' is a musical film centring on a high school outcast played by Natalie Abbott, who teams up with her cousin (MacInnes), as the pair aim to shake up the upcoming debutante ball. Marking her feature directorial debut, Wilson helmed the movie from Hannah Reilly's screenplay, adapting the stage show that debuted in Sydney in 2022, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BrLab Unveils New Dates, Co-Pro Forum and Regional Spread Ahead of 15th Anniversary Edition (EXCLUSIVE)
As BrLab prepares to mark its 15th anniversary in 2026, one of Latin America's most influential development labs for film projects is announcing a bold set of changes designed to expand its international reach, enhance its programming and deepen its support for emerging filmmakers. Rafael Sampaio, BrLab's founder and director, met up with Variety in Cannes to discuss four key updates that reflect the platform's evolving role as both a creative hub and a strategic launchpad for cinema from Brazil, Latin America and the wider Ibero-American region. More from Variety Guillermo Galoe Unpacks His Insider's Vision of a Family Riven by Its Shanty Town's Demolition in Critics' Week's 'Sleepless City' New York Erotic Tale 'Drunken Noodles' Sells to Taiwan, France and Germany for M-Appeal (EXCLUSIVE) Rebel Wilson Escalates Battle With 'The Deb' Producers in 'Bizarre Outburst of Jealousy' After Cannes Yacht Party Founded in 2011, BrLab has grown into a vital force in the development of independent cinema, offering workshops, labs and mentorships for projects from over 15 countries. Supported by institutions such as Programa Ibermedia, Projeto Paradiso and Spcine, and now also by Petrobras as a multi-year sponsor, the lab receives more than 400 submissions annually, carefully curated by a professional selection committee. The results speak for themselves. As of 2025, 62 feature films that participated in BrLab's various sections have been produced and released, with 17 more currently in post-production and another 10 funded for production through 2026. By next year, the number of completed projects linked to BrLab is expected to reach nearly 90. Many of these films have gone on to premiere at prestigious international festivals, including Cannes, Venice, Berlin, San Sebastián and Locarno. Among recent standouts are 'The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo,' which is part of the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes 2025; 'Levante' by Lila Halla (Brazil), which screened in the 2023's Critics' Week; 'Légua' by Filipa Reis and João Guerra (Portugal), presented at Directors' Fortnight the same year; 'Los Tiburones' by Lucía Garibaldi (Uruguay), which premiered at Sundance; 'Las Heiresses' by Marcelo Martinessi (Paraguay), which bowed at the Berlinale; and 'Los Reyes del Mundo' by Laura Mora (Colombia), winner of the Concha de Oro at San Sebastián 2022. 'The Wolf Behind the Door' by Fernando Coimbra, featured in BrLab's very first edition in 2011, was later selected for Toronto and San Sebastián. Now, as it looks ahead to the future, BrLab is implementing four major changes that promise to strengthen its impact even further. New Dates: Moving to April Starting in 2026, BrLab will shift from its traditional October slot to a new window in the first half of the year. The 15th edition is scheduled for April 7–13, 2026. The move avoids competition with the saturated fall festival calendar and provides participating projects with more time to polish their work before premiering later in the year. According to Sampaio, the timing also enhances the value of BrLab's Rough Cut Lab, allowing it to act as a more effective mid-year intervention. 'This change creates a more useful rhythm for project development,' he said. 'We want our selected teams to take full advantage of the international circuit, and April positions them well to do that.' BrLab CoPro: A New Co-Production Forum BrLab is also launching BrLab CoPro, a curated boutique co-production forum aimed at catalyzing new international partnerships. The platform will bring together producers and projects interested in forging co-productions with Brazil and other Latin American territories, in response to a regional landscape where cross-border collaboration is increasingly essential for financing and distribution. This new space marks a significant deepening of BrLab's role as a connector, not just of talent, but also of institutions and industries that can bring films to life. Audience Design Workshop Goes Regional Since 2017, BrLab's Audience Design Workshop has provided specialized training to Brazilian filmmakers on how to identify, understand and reach their target audiences. In 2025, the workshop will expand to include participants from across Latin America, Portugal and Spain, opening a new regional dialogue around the challenges of distribution and audience engagement. 'The idea is to strengthen regional circulation and create sustainable connections,' said Sampaio, who himself first encountered audience design methodology through TorinoFilmLab. 'Too often, films from one Latin American country don't even reach audiences in the next one. We hope to help change that.' Reinforcing Institutional Support and Regional Collaboration BrLab's evolution has been made possible through robust institutional backing. Longstanding supporters such as Programa Ibermedia, Projeto Paradiso and Spcine have been joined by Petrobras, which is now backing the lab through a multi-year sponsorship. This growing coalition reflects BrLab's increasing importance as a development engine not only for Brazilian cinema but for a broader Ibero-American creative ecosystem. With nearly 90 completed films supported by 2026 and a growing list of international accolades, BrLab stands as both a model and a catalyst for regional cinema. As it prepares its 15th edition, the lab is reaffirming its core mission: to empower emerging voices, facilitate meaningful collaboration and help shape the future of global cinema, one project at a time. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rebel Wilson Escalates Battle With ‘The Deb' Producers in ‘Bizarre Outburst of Jealousy' After Cannes Yacht Party
It was a typical scene in Cannes. On May 16, about 50 people converged on billionaire Len Blavatnik's luxury liner dubbed Odessa II to celebrate his three films premiering at the festival including the provocative Joaquin Phoenix drama 'Eddington.' The guest list included industry heavy hitters like 'Pulp Fiction' producer Lawrence Bender and Access Entertainment president Danny Cohen. As revelers sipped rosé and sampled the luncheon buffet, singer-actress Charlotte MacInnes performed a cover of Chappell Roan's 'Pink Pony Club.' Within hours, Rebel Wilson began posting from the official Instagram account of her upcoming film 'The Deb.' 'Charlotte MacInnes in a culturally inappropriate Indian outfit on Len Blavatnik's luxury yacht in Cannes — ironically singing a song from a movie that will never get released because of her lies and support for the people blocking the film's release,' Wilson wrote. 'So glad you got your record deal Charlotte at the expense of the 300 people who worked on 'The Deb' and really wanna see it released,' she added in a follow-up. The fact that MacInnes is the star of the musical 'The Deb,' which marks Wilson's directorial debut, and Blavatnik financed the movie made the post all the more strange. More from Variety Tony Gatlif's 'Ange,' Starring Singer-Songwriter Arthur H. and Mathieu Amalric, Debuts Trailer Ahead of Cannes Premiere (EXCLUSIVE) Jafar Panahi Makes Triumphant Cannes Return After Prison Release With 'It Was Just an Accident,' Earning Near 8-Minute Ovation 'It Was Just an Accident' Review: Iranian Director Jafar Panahi's Done Being Discreet, Launching an Open Warning to His Oppressors Then again, Wilson has been locked in a legal battle for nearly a year with 'The Deb' producers Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron and executive producer Vince Holden, who sued her for defamation after she posted a video on Instagram to her 11 million followers last summer that accused them of 'embezzling funds' from the movie as well as 'absolute viciousness and retaliatory behavior.' Meanwhile, the fate of the feel-good film, which revolves around two girls in a small Australian town who are preparing for a debutante ball, remains in limbo after its Toronto Film Festival debut in September. (Sources on the ground in Cannes say the film had strong interest from distributors and a deal seemed imminent until Wilson began posting, making buyers skittish.) A representative for Wilson says, 'The entire 'Deb' crew is looking forward for the film to finally be shown to the world. Rebel is so proud of this film and in awe of all of the hard work everyone involved put into the creation of her directorial debut.' Some who attended the yacht party were perplexed by how Wilson, who is not in Cannes, obtained footage from a private party hosted by Blavatnik, who has backed such recent films as 'Conclave' and 'The Zone of Interest.' It appears as though the 'Pitch Perfect' star pulled from an Instagram post made by Bender, who is blaming Wilson for sullying what he calls an 'enchanting' performance by MacInnes. 'My only intention was to celebrate this young person's incredible talent. The last thing I expected was for somebody to take this and turn it into something negative,' Bender tells Variety. 'It's just very disappointing.' Over the ensuing days, Wilson continued to post about MacInnes, insisting that the 25-year-old actress received an excessive amount of time in the studio with Ghost, a luxury not afforded to other cast members. She also implied that the relationship between Ghost, who is married to Cameron, and MacInnes was nefarious. (Wilson previously accused Ghost of sexually harassing MacInnes, a claim flatly denied by all parties including the alleged victim.) 'After this session Ghost took MacInnes back to the Bondi Beach Penthouse apartment that they were 'sharing' after Ghost insisted MacInnes live with her despite the film housing all interstate cast members in hotels which is professional standard,' Wilson wrote in a follow-up post from the @thedebfilm handle. A source close to MacInnes says Wilson's post is a manipulative distortion of the truth. 'Charlotte had no more time in the studio than any of the other lead actresses,' the source says, adding that it was MacInnes' agent who coordinated her use of the spare room in the condo where Ghost and her team were staying during a week when the actress, who lived hours away, was not on the production schedule and was not being provided accommodations. At the center of the pitched battle is a dispute over writing and music credits. Wilson wanted a full screenplay credit but was only awarded an 'additional writing by' credit by the Australian Writers Guild. Instead, Hannah Reilly was awarded sole screenplay credit. Ghost, Cameron and Holden said in their initial complaint that Wilson was unhappy with the guild's decision, which was made in early 2024 when the film was in postproduction. 'Since the beginning, this dispute has been about one thing and one thing only: Rebel Wilson's obsession with taking credit where none is deserved, at the great expense of young, talented women, whom she tears down, all the while, masquerading to be their champion,' says attorney Camille Vasquez, who is representing the producers. 'It started with Rebel demanding a writing credit for a film Hannah Reilly wrote and has morphed into a smear campaign. Rebel Wilson is telling on herself — her latest bizarre outburst of jealousy is her confession.' But a source close to Wilson insists that the bad blood stems from a clash of personalities between the 'Bridesmaids' star and Ghost. Up until now, Reilly has remained silent on the matter. But after Wilson's latest salvo, she decided to speak out. 'What should have been a joyous experience — a dream come true — has now been overshadowed by unnecessary drama. It's been a heartbreaking and baffling turn of events,' Reilly tells Variety. Reilly wrote the hit stage musical 'The Deb,' then adapted it for the screen through Wilson's mentoring initiative that was created to support young women in the industry. 'What followed [the Australian Writers' Guild ruling] has been a series of personal attacks and false accusations, most recently targeting Charlotte — who I cast in the original stage production,' Reilly said. 'She's a phenomenal talent and consummate professional who deserves to be celebrated, not dragged into chaos. I've been very reluctant to speak publicly, but I just want the hostility to stop so we can all move forward.' Last year, Wilson filed an anti-SLAPP motion to dismiss the producers' suit against her. But she lost that bid in November, with the judge characterizing the matter as a 'private business dispute' and noting that Wilson never reported the allegations to authorities. 'These statements are not made in the context of an ongoing controversy, dispute, or discussion about 'inappropriate behavior, including sexual harassment, on movie sets,' 'embezzlement from film budgets,' and 'tax fraud,'' the judge wrote. 'Instead, they were made in the context of Wilson's private business dispute with the Plaintiffs.' Wilson's original demand letter, which preceded last summer's scorched-earth posts as well as 'The Deb' producers' subsequent defamation lawsuit, suggests that she would walk away from the matter if conditions were met. 'Wilson was promised, among other things, (1) shared writing credits and (2) a record label deal under Warner Music,' the June 2024 letter stated. (Blavatnik owns Warner Music.) 'Before initiating costly and time-consuming litigation, we are willing to explore the possibility of resolving this matter through informal and amicable means.' Meanwhile, even the shop where MacInnes bought the dress she wore on the yacht has joined the fray. In an Instagram post, One Vintage Designs wrote: 'Dear @rebelwilson, Please take a moment to educate yourself on fashion history. @charlotte_ macinnes is wearing an original 1970s handmade American ensemble, sourced from us at One Vintage-not an 'Indian outfit.' Your attempt to discredit and mislabel a piece rooted in authentic craftsmanship does more than miss the mark-it reveals more about your intentions than the outfit ever could.' As the yacht saga rages, Wilson's efforts outside of 'The Deb' appear to have hit turbulence. 'Juliet & Romeo,' which she toplines opposite 'The White Lotus' star Jason Isaacs, landed in theaters on May 9 with a whimper. The film has earned just $422,126 worldwide to date. In March, Wilson quietly changed agencies from WME to UTA. (MacInnes is represented by WME and signed to Atlantic Records, part of Warner Music Group.) MacInnes isn't the first person Wilson has taken to the mat. The actress, best known for her comedic work in such films as 'Bridesmaids,' previously accused Sacha Baron Cohen of sexual harassment on the set of the 2016 R-rated comedy 'The Brothers Grimsby.' In their amended complaint, the producers of 'The Deb' noted the fact that Wilson's claims about Baron Cohen were removed from her autobiography in some territories. 'Due to these false allegations, portions of [Wilson's] autobiography were redacted when published in the United Kingdom and Australia. Nevertheless, Rebel successfully used the furor around such allegations to promote the sale of her book,' the complaint stated. 'As with this situation, Rebel hypocritically played the victim in order to elicit public sympathy in the hope that it would advance her professional self-interest.' As the legal case plays out, Wilson's recent posts have become the talk of the producer and film financier set in Cannes. Says one financier who is uninvolved with 'The Deb,' 'It's hard enough to open a film without a whole unrelated drama swirling around it.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
