Rebel Wilson Heads Back to Toronto With Second Directorial Feature ‘Girl Group’

Rebel Wilson is returning to the Toronto International Film Festival, with the Australian actor and filmmaker set to unveil her second feature as director, Girl Group, at the festival in September.

The musical comedy will receive its world premiere as part of TIFF’s Gala Presentations program when the 51st edition of the festival runs from Sept. 10-20. 

Wilson writes, directs, produces and stars in the film, marking her second outing behind the camera following her directorial debut The Deb.

Girl Group sees the Sydney-born performer return to familiar musical-comedy territory more than a decade after Pitch Perfect turned her into an international star.

Wilson plays Tassie Young, a pop singer whose attempt at a solo career spectacularly unravels. Following a DUI, Young is sentenced to community service and tasked with mentoring a group of aspiring young performers.

What begins as an unwanted obligation gradually develops into an unlikely second chance, as the singer attempts to help the young women find their voices while rediscovering her own sense of purpose.

Wilson has assembled an extensive comedy and music ensemble for the film, including Jennifer Coolidge, Randall Park, Sally Hawkins and Nicole Scherzinger. Spice Girls member Melanie Chisholm also appears, having previously described working with Wilson on the production as a joyful experience. 

The film’s central girl group, Xplode, was assembled following a nationwide U.S. casting search that attracted thousands of auditions. Ana Yi Puig, Bailey Stender, Chabely Ponce, Daniela Cuoso, Lilah Pate, Mia Kaplan and Miracle Washington ultimately landed roles in the group. 

Production wrapped last year, with Live Nation Studios and Future Artists Entertainment behind the project. 

The Toronto premiere also carries particular significance for Wilson.

Her first directorial feature, The Deb, closed TIFF in 2024. The Australian musical subsequently became embroiled in a highly publicised legal dispute, which concluded in July when Australia’s Federal Court dismissed a defamation case brought against Wilson by the film’s lead actor Charlotte MacInnes. 

Following the decision, Wilson confirmed that Girl Group would also head to Toronto, saying she was proud to have continued making films during the dispute.

The premiere therefore brings the Australian filmmaker back to the festival where her directing career first began — this time with another music-driven comedy and an international ensemble behind her.