Rebel Wilson’s much-anticipated memoir, “Rebel Rising,” has encountered a rather major legal hurdles as it makes its debut in the UK, with an Australian release still on hold. The memoir, which has stirred controversy for its candid content, features substantial redactions in its UK edition, specifically in the chapter involving Sacha Baron Cohen. As previously mentioned, making claims in memoirs can wade into seriously legally murky waters, hence it’s come as no surprise that Wilson is now facing a snag.
Read: Legal risks of memoirs: Rebel Wilson claims against Sacha Baron Cohen
Photos circulating from sources display black bars obscuring text where the Pitch Perfect star accuses Baron Cohen of inappropriate behaviour on the set of their film, “Grimsby.” According to The Telegraph, these redactions were implemented following intervention from Baron Cohen’s legal team.
Baron Cohen’s legal response to Wilson’s allegations
The Daily Beast reported that representatives for Baron Cohen have been vocal about their objections, stating, “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 publishing house, HarperCollins, explained their decision to proceed with the publication despite the legal challenges. “We are publishing every page, but for legal reasons, in the UK edition, we are redacting most of one page with some other small redactions and an explanatory note,” a spokesperson told The Guardian. They said that the redacted sections represent only a small fraction of the broader narrative Wilson presents in her book.
The controversy has escalated since Wilson’s Instagram post where she hinted at naming a controversial figure, later revealed to be Baron Cohen, in her memoir. She expressed her determination not to be silenced, telling her followers, “You will all know the truth.”
Rebel Rising’s rocky road to release
Wilson’s allegations have been widely covered since the US release of her book. She described a particularly disturbing incident during filming where Baron Cohen allegedly asked her to engage in a sexual act, which he and his friends attempted to record. This account has been contested by Baron Cohen’s team, who countered with anonymous statements from crew members and an edited video of the scene, which they claim disproves Wilson’s narrative.
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The situation continues to unfold as “Rebel Rising” is set to officially release in the UK in redacted form on April 25. Meanwhile, the Australian release has been postponed to at least August 2024, with reports suggesting that legal issues are to blame. Whether the Australian edition will feature similar redactions remains uncertain, leaving the full extent of Wilson’s revelations in question.
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