Yahoo Movies Rebel Wilson's defamation payout slashed by around $4m
Rebel Wilson's landmark payout from a media publishing house over a defamation lawsuit has been significantly reduced.
The actress successfully sued Bauer Media last year after publications ran eight articles which the Pitch Perfect star argued were a "malicious, deliberate take-down" of her character.
The articles had wrongly accused Wilson of lying about her age, real name and upbringing.
The jury reached a unanimous verdict in her favour and backed Wilson in the initial court case, and the presiding judge went on to order Bauer to pay AU$4.5 million (£2.7m) of damages to the actress.
However, after the publisher argued that the damages awarded were excessive, the Victorian Court of Appeal has now reduced that sum to AU$600,000 (£388k).
The original payout had included AU$3,917,472 in special damages due to screen roles lost because of the articles, which the appeals court has removed from the overall sum.
The judgement read: "The court has rejected the finding that Rebel Wilson lost the opportunity to earn AU$15m by being cast in lead or co-lead roles in Hollywood films from mid-2015 to the end of 2016."
Taking to social media before the ruling was announced, Wilson – who has pledged to give the money from the case to charity – wrote: "As I've said before, I have already WON the case and this is UNCHALLENGED!
"What happens tomorrow is to do with the losers quibbling about how much they now have to pay me. While this case was never about the money for me, I do hope to receive as much as possible to give away to charities and to support the Australian film industry."
Additionally, I’m away on location in Europe filming right now. The Court of Appeal in Australia will be handing down their decision in the morning re my defamation case against @bauermedia . As I’ve said before, I have already WON the case and this is UNCHALLENGED!
- Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) June 13, 2018
What happens tomorrow is to do with the losers @bauermedia quibbling about how much they now have to pay me. While this case was never about the money for me, I do hope to receive as much as possible to give away to charities and to support the Australian film industry. 🐨
- Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) June 13, 2018
When the initial settlement was announced in September, Wilson also used social media to thank the Australian justice system and fans for their support.
"Today was the end of a long and hard court battle against Bauer Media who viciously tried to take me down with a series of false articles," she said.
"Looking forward to getting back to my career and entertaining everyone! Thank you again for the love and support! I am humbled."
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