Rebel Wilson directed the musical comedy, 'The Deb,' and claimed business partners were displaying 'retaliatory behavior.'
Rebel Wilson's directorial debut, The Deb, is set to premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival following the star's allegations of behind-the-scenes drama.
Festival organizers announced on Tuesday that Wilson's film will have its world premiere as the closing night film on Sept. 15 at Roy Thomson Hall as part of the Gala program.
The news comes one week after Wilson claimed that her upcoming comedy musical was facing roadblocks from three producers on the film. On July 10, Wilson said The Deb was selected to be featured at the Toronto International Film Festival, but alleged that these producers were attempting to stop it from appearing at the annual event.
Calling the decision "just beyond devastating," Wilson claimed that it was the result of her discovering "bad behavior" by these "business partners" in October 2023.
On Tuesday, Wilson offered an update to her fans on social media.
"Beyond grateful that THE DEB will be shared with audiences in Toronto this September! Thank you TIFF for the selection of a film so close to my heart, a film I’ve fought to make as a first time female director - to the cast and crew, and to my awesome fans, thank you for your continued love and support! Let’s go to Toronto!!," she wrote on Instagram on Tuesday.
Responding to a follower who asked, "How did you make it happen after the 'road block?'" Wilson commented, "soooo much going on behind the scenes but so grateful to my cast & crew for support and my team at WME, also Screen Australia."
Last week, Wilson spoke out in detail about what she alleged was "bad behavior" on set.
"They are, so called, producers of this film. I use this phrase lightly," she said in an Instagram video at the time.
Wilson claimed that the issue in question was "inappropriate behavior towards the lead actress of the film, embezzling funds from the film's budget which we really needed because we're a small movie."
The Pitch Perfect star said that after reporting the alleged behavior, "I have been met with absolute viciousness and retaliatory behavior… Every step of the way, these people who I complained about tried to make my life hell."
Wilson further alleged that these producers were preventing the film from coming out.
"They're saying it cannot come out. They might not release it. They might bury it," she claimed. "This is the work of hundreds of people who have put their heart and soul into this. And this behavior is absolutely vile and disgusting."
Wilson said that despite others not being able to speak out due to non-disclosure agreements, "I won't be threatened. I will speak the truth and warn people about these people in the industry who are just not behaving ethically."
She concluded her video by saying, "If the movie doesn't play at Toronto, it's because of these absolute f**kwits."
ET previously reached out to the Toronto International Film Festival for comment on the allegations at the time.
Wilson also went to her Instagram Story, sharing behind-the-scenes photos from filming. "If anyone can help save my joyous original musical then please DM me," she wrote.
This isn't the first time Wilson has called out people in the entertainment industry. In her 2024 memoir, Rebel Rising, Wilson accused her former The Brothers Grimsby co-star, Sacha Baron Cohen, of being an "a**hole" to her on set.
"I will not be bullied or silenced by high priced lawyers or PR crisis managers," Wilson wrote on Instagram in March ahead of her book's release. "The 'a**hole' that I am talking about in ONE CHAPTER of my book is: Sacha Baron Cohen."
Following the reveal, Cohen's rep released a statement to ET, denying Wilson's claims.
"While we appreciate the importance of speaking out, these demonstrably false claims are directly contradicted by extensive detailed evidence, including contemporaneous documents, film footage, and eyewitness accounts from those present before, during and after the production of The Brothers Grimsby," the statement read.
When Wilson's book was released in the U.K., this portion about Cohen was taken out of the memoir.
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