Rebel Wilson’s attorneys are asking a Los Angeles Superior Court judge for help in obtaining a deposition from the financier of her directorial film, “The Deb.” This action is part of Wilson’s defense against a defamation lawsuit brought by the movie’s producers.
The plaintiffs in the complaint, Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron, and Vince Holden, accuse Wilson of defaming them on Instagram in 2024. Their lawsuit claims Wilson accused them of, among other things, embezzling funds from the film’s budget.
The financier targeted by Wilson’s legal team is Sir Blavatnik, whose production company is AI Film. Wilson had previously aimed a series of posts at him in July, accusing him of protecting the producers.
On Friday, Wilson’s attorneys filed court papers with Judge Thomas D. Long, asking him to certify their prepared letter of request. This formal document is used by a court in one country to ask for judicial help from a court in another, often for gathering evidence or serving legal papers.
Wilson’s lawyers are requesting the letter of request due to Sir Blavatnik’s international travel, even though he is a U.S. citizen. The attorneys also stated that they would continue attempting traditional service in the U.S. as well.
In their court papers, Wilson’s attorneys argue that it would be "a miscarriage of justice for the trial to proceed without the testimony of Sir Blavatnik," stating he will be called as a material witness at trial. They added, "Just because he is wealthy does not insulate him from answering questions under oath about his integral role in almost all aspects of the contested issues in the case."
According to Wilson’s attorneys in their court papers, Sir Blavatnik was not merely a disinterested investor. They assert he was a named producer and principal financier of the film, actively involved in regular interactions with producers and the director, as well as her agents, and acted as a key decision-maker on many aspects of the film.
Of particular note, Wilson’s attorneys write in their pleadings that Sir Blavatnik was heavily involved in discussions regarding Ms. Wilson’s reporting of “the impropriety of Amanda Ghost being in a bathtub with the lead actress (Charlotte MacInnes) on the film” and concerns about “film budget funds being siphoned off to enrich the plaintiff producers.”
Wilson has also filed a countersuit in the original underlying case. This countersuit accuses the producers of a “troubling pattern” of “theft, bullying and sexual misconduct,” while also contending they inflated the film’s budget and split the extra money between themselves.
In November 2024, the judge denied Wilson’s motion to dismiss the producers’ underlying case, a ruling that was upheld on appeal in August. Wilson is now seeking to continue the scheduled October 5 trial for at least four months. Judge Long has scheduled an August 13 hearing to consider her request.