
A legal dispute has arisen involving a stunt performer who has filed a lawsuit against actor and director Kevin Costner. The lawsuit alleges that the performer was compelled to participate in an unplanned and unconsented rape scene during the filming of “Horizon: An American Saga: Chapter 2.” The case was submitted Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, with the involved parties including Costner, who serves as the director, leading star, and co-writer of the Western film series, and various associated production companies.
Devyn LaBella, a 34-year-old stunt performer with a background as a gymnast, has worked on multiple Hollywood projects since 2020, including “Barbie” and “Yellowjackets.” According to the claims in the lawsuit, the unscripted scene was filmed without prior warning, rehearsals, or proper choreography. It asserts that Costner not only directed an actor to perform the inappropriate scene without the necessary protocols but also called for numerous takes, thus exacerbating the situation.
This unforeseen incident, as described in the lawsuit, has allegedly caused severe personal consequences for LaBella, impacting her career and leaving her with lasting trauma. The lawsuit emphasizes that protective measures typically present in such situations were disregarded, violating industry norms and union agreements. In response, Costner’s legal representative, Martin Singer, has dismissed the claim as lacking any genuine merit and contrary to both facts and LaBella’s conduct.
Singer elaborated, revealing that LaBella had initially expressed comfort with the rehearsal of the scene, even signaling her readiness to proceed if required, though her participation was not ultimately necessary. He also noted that after performing the supposed problematic scene, she continued to work on the movie for some weeks, leaving it amicably while expressing gratitude to her stunt team colleagues through messages and gestures.
Despite the pushback, the lawsuit continues to press for a multitude of damages and changes, including an order for the defendants to undergo sexual harassment training and adherence to strict filming protocols involving intimacy coordinators in future projects. Moreover, it seeks a public apology from Costner to LaBella.
This controversy unfolds against the backdrop of Costner’s long-running endeavor to bring the extensive Western saga to life, a journey spanning 30 years. The initial segment of the movie was released in June 2024 but faced delays concerning the release of subsequent parts due to lackluster box office results.