Rebel Wilson Says Her Directorial DebutThe DebWill 'Shine' at TIFF Premiere Despite Legal Drama (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Rebel Wilson on Sept. 7 in New York City.Photo:Stephanie Augello/Variety via Getty

Stephanie Augello/Variety via Getty

Rebel Wilsonis overjoyed to premiere her musical directorial debutThe Debat theToronto International Film Festivaldespite an ongoing legal battle with three of its producers.

The actress and filmmaker, 44, spoke with PEOPLE the day before the Sept. 14 red carpet event and acknowledged that the situation “is not ideal.” Wilson, who previously accused the producers of trying to block the film from screening at TIFF, added, “obviously there was a struggle to have the movie play.”

But she said she is focusing on the positives. “At the end of the day, I’m so proud the fact that [TIFF CEO] Cameron Bailey chose this to play at the festival. And the honor to be chosen for TIFF — and again, as a first-time female director, — it’s just huge,” continued thePitch Perfectstar.

Asked if she’s hopeful she can put the legal drama behind her soon, Wilson replied, “Yeah, I feel very confident that… Yeah, because the movie speaks for itself. It’s so good and it’s so original and so unique and it’s just going to — the movie will shine.”

‘The Deb’ stars Natalie Abbott, Charlotte MacInnes, Rebel Wilson and Stevie Jean in Cannes in 2023.Dave Benett/Getty

Dave Benett/Getty

Wilson said she hoped to focus on directingThe Deb, but agreed to act in the film to help secure financing. She plays Janette, a pushy and sarcastic salon worker and mother of the local teen bully, Annabelle (Stevie Jean).

Abbott praised Wilson’s work as a director, saying she had a clear vision, but also let the actors experiment.

“Technically it was all thought out, but then when the scene is happening and you are acting, I think there was a lot of freedom to play, which is really cool,” she told PEOPLE.

“There was a lot of improv, which was great, especially for scenes with me and Rebel,” added Jean. “It was a lot of just back and forth moments. It was just so much fun.”

The defamation suit from two ofThe Deb’s producers, Amanda Ghost and Gregor Cameron, as well as executive producer Vince Holden, came in response to Wilson’sInstagram videoon July 10 in which she accused the group of “bad behavior” on set.

Wilson claimed she was met “with absolute viciousness and retaliatory behavior” after reporting their alleged actions.

Ghost, Cameron and Holden denied Wilson’s claims that they embezzled funds and raised accusations of their own about her conduct during the filmmaking process.

Ramona Agruma and Rebel Wilson on June 2 in West Hollywood.Eric Charbonneau/Getty

Eric Charbonneau/Getty

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Four days later, Wilson revealed on Instagram thatThe Debwould close the 2024 edition of TIFF.

Several of the film’s cast and crewpraisedthe first-time director on social media, with actor Max Ostler writing that she “consistently expressed immense gratitude toward all individuals involved in the project. Noteworthy examples of her appreciation include the personalized caps she presented to each cast member as keepsake gifts, as well as the raffle prizes she distributed during one of the filming nights.”

The Debdoes not yet have a release date. Among Wilson’s other upcomingprojectsis another movie musical,Verona’s Romeo & Juliet, scheduled for 2025.

source: people.com