Kevin Costner is currently facing a lawsuit filed by stunt performer Devyn LaBella, who alleges she was subjected to a “violent, unscripted, unscheduled rape scene” during the filming of his upcoming movie, “Horizon: An American Saga: Chapter 2.” The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on May 28, 2025, names Costner as the director, co-writer, and star of the film, along with its production companies, as defendants.
Trapped and Traumatized
According to LaBella’s complaint, she was working as the stunt double for lead actress Ella Hunt. The lawsuit acknowledges that a planned sexual assault scene was filmed in May 2023, which involved proper protocols, including rehearsals, meetings, the presence of an intimacy coordinator, and a minimal crew. However, the core of LaBella’s claim revolves around an alleged incident the following day.
She asserts that Costner, without warning, directed another actor to pin her down on a wagon and simulate rape. The lawsuit further claims that Kevin Costner called for multiple takes and failed to clearly indicate when filming began or ended, leaving LaBella feeling trapped and traumatized.LaBella’s attorneys argue that his alleged impromptu scene disregarded crucial safeguards, violated union contracts (specifically SAG-AFTRA protocols requiring a 48-hour notice and consent for simulated sex scenes), and went against industry standards.
The lawsuit contends that the incident has had a profound impact on LaBella’s career and left her with “permanent trauma that she will be required to address for years to come,” leading her to seek therapy since June 2023 for symptoms like sleep disturbance, fears of intimacy, and anxiety. She is seeking unspecified monetary damages, a public apology, a judge’s order for the defendants to undergo sexual harassment training, and a requirement for an intimacy coordinator on future projects.
Kevin Costner’s Response to Allegations
In response to allegations, Kevin Costner’s attorney, Martin Singer, has vehemently denied the claims, labeling the lawsuit a “shakedown.” Singer stated that Costner prioritizes comfort and safety on his sets and that LaBella’s claims “have absolutely no merit, and her actions and the facts completely contradict it.” Singer further described LaBella as a “serial accuser of people in the entertainment industry” and presented evidence, including a text message allegedly sent by LaBella to the film’s stunt coordinator, expressing gratitude for the experience.
Singer also asserted that the scene in question was explained to LaBella. After a rehearsal, she gave a “thumbs up” to her supervisor, indicating her willingness to participate if needed. The lawsuit specifically alleges that the lead actress, Ella Hunt, whose character LaBella was doubling, refused to perform the newly improvised scene and walked off set.
LaBella was then allegedly called to set without being informed of Hunt’s refusal or the nature of the improvised scene. She claims she was not warned that the male actor had been directed to “mount her, pin her down, and violently rake up her skirt.” The complaint states that Costner himself directed LaBella to “lay down” in a wagon before instructing the male actor to “repeatedly perform a violent simulated rape”. At the same time, Costner “experimented with different takes of the rape action.”
Final Thoughts
This lack of warning, consent, and the absence of an intimacy coordinator are central to LaBella’s case. Her legal team asserts that the set was not closed during the filming of this sensitive scene, meaning it was “broadcast publicly on monitors for the entire crew to witness,” further contributing to her distress. LaBella reported feeling “shock, embarrassment, and humiliation” immediately after the incident and has been in therapy since June 2023. She also alleges that after she complained, she was not hired back for “Horizon 3,” which began filming in early 2024, or for any other projects by her stunt coordinator, suggesting potential retaliation.
Costner’s attorney, Martin Singer, continues to counter these claims by asserting that LaBella’s own actions contradict her lawsuit. He maintains that LaBella was fully aware of the scene’s content after a rehearsal and gave a “thumbs up” to her stunt coordinator, indicating her willingness to proceed. Singer also points to text messages from LaBella to the stunt coordinator, expressing gratitude for the work and her experience on set.
The ongoing legal battle will likely delve deeply into these conflicting accounts and evidence to determine the truth of what transpired on the “Horizon” set. This lawsuit highlights ongoing concerns within the entertainment industry regarding set safety, consent, and the treatment of stunt performers, particularly in high-risk scenes. The legal proceedings are expected to be contentious, as both sides present their versions of events and contest the facts surrounding the alleged incident.
