Mel C to star in Rebel Wilson's 'Girl Group' amid legal battles

Mel C, the Spice Girls icon, is set to star in Rebel Wilson's upcoming film Girl Group, described by Wilson as the 'ultimate girl power movie.' Deadline reports production has already begun. The project will feature Shaznay Lewis of All Saints and Ashley Roberts of the Pussycat Dolls alongside Mel C, with Sheridan Smith also joining the cast. Wilson will write, produce and star in the comedy.

The plot centers on a pop diva who has been booted out of her group's reunion tour and is ordered to perform community service. Determined to make it big again, she returns to coach a disparate group of teenage girls for a life-changing audition with the hope of landing a major record deal.

Wilson has described the project as a vehicle for female empowerment, and has said that her goal is to create something with the energy of the Pitch Perfect franchise. However, the production's path has been complicated by legal actions tied to Wilson's directorial debut, The Deb. The film's joint producers, AI Film and Wilson's Camp Sugar, recently faced multiple claims alleging obstruction of the release and reputational damage. AI Film has filed claims for damages in New South Wales Supreme Court, while three producers have also pursued defamation actions against Wilson in the United States. The Deb was to be released via a joint venture, Dunnburn Debutantes Commissioning Company (DDCC). In mid-2024, Wilson published posts on social media criticizing fellow producers Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron and Vince Holden; they deny the allegations of harassment and obstruction.

Industry observers note that while the new film has assembled a high-profile female-led cast, the legal disputes surrounding Wilson's previous project could affect momentum. The Daily Mail report indicates production has started, and Deadline confirms the involvement of the listed cast. The project is described as a comedy in which a pop star tries to stage a comeback by mentoring a new generation of performers, weaving in themes of fame, mentorship and the pressures of the music industry.

Mel C, 51, confirmed the casting alongside Lewis and Roberts, with Sheridan Smith joining as well. The ensemble draws on a cross-section of pop and musical theatre backgrounds, signaling a blend of tonal styles for Girl Group. The collaboration adds to a growing slate of cross-genre projects featuring veteran stars and new talent.