Manson claims that Wood's allegations have a "malicious falsehood" to them.
Marilyn Manson is suing Evan Rachel Wood, saying she has "publicly cast" him as a "rapist and abuser" which is "a malicious falsehood".
The complaint was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday by Manson, whose legal name is Brian Warner. He alleges that Wood and "her on-again, off-again romantic partner" Ashley Gore's statements have "derailed Warner’s successful music, TV and film career".
The filing, which was obtained by Variety, goes on to claim that Wood and Gore impersonated an FBI agent: "By forging and distributing a fictitious letter from the agent, to create the false appearance that Warner’s alleged 'victims' and their families were in danger, and that there was a federal criminal investigation of Warner ongoing."
Manson, who has requested a trial by jury, also alleges that Wood and Gore "provided checklists and scripts" to accusers and "made knowingly false statements", including that Manson "filmed the sexual assault of a minor". The disgraced performer is also claiming intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The Marilyn Manson case against Evan Rachel Wood comes as the latter is poised to release her two-part documentary on HBO this month.
The beginning of 2021 saw the 'Westworld' and 'True Blood' actor release a statement that Manson had abused her. She wrote on Instagram: "I was brainwashed and manipulated into submission. I am done living in fear of retaliation, slander, or blackmail.
"I am here to expose this dangerous man and call out the many industries that have enabled him, before he ruins any more lives. I stand with the many victims who will no longer be silent."
Manson issued a rebutted following this accusation, writing: "These recent claims about me are horrible distortions of reality. My intimate relationships have always been entirely consensual with like-minded partners."
Dita Von Teese, Manson's ex-wife, said "the details made public do not match my personal experience". She had been in a relationship with him for seven years, married to him for one of those years.
Evan Rachel Wood's HBO documentary 'Phoenix Rising', which was part of the Sundance Film Festival this year, will premiere later this month. The HBO documentary will see the actor speak about her abuse while also chronicling her journey towards becoming an activist and helping other women who have been abused in the past.
The documentary gets its title from The Phoenix Act, which Wood spearheaded into legislation; the act was formed to give victims more time to confront their abusers, giving them five years instead of three to report domestic abuse in California.
The two-episode feature begins on Sky Documentaries and NOW from March 17.
