A stunt performer on Western epic Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 is suing Kevin Costner after claiming she was forced to film an impromptu brutal rape scene.
The alleged incident involving Devyn LaBella took place on set in May 2023 in Utah where LaBella had been hired to do some basic stand-in shots for one of the film’s stars.
According to LaBella – who filed a complaint against the Yellowstone star and the production companies – she was subjected to an unscripted, violent rape scene without proper notice, consent or the presence of an intimacy coordinator, as mandated by her contract.
In the lawsuit she described that she was pinned down in a wagon and a male actor was directed ‘to repeatedly perform a violent simulated rape’.
She claimed ‘the scene was broadcast publicly on monitors for the entire crew to witness … anyone could walk by and observe the scene being performed.’
The complaint details accusations of sexual discrimination, harassment and the creation of a hostile work environment on set and claims that she faced retaliation as well as not being called back to work on the Horizon set.
‘On that day, I was left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism. What happened to me shattered my trust and forever changed how I move through this industry,’ LaBella said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
Costner’s lawyer Marty Singer said there was ‘absolutely no merit’ to these claims which were ‘completely contradicted by [LaBella’s] own actions – and the facts,’ as provided to Metro.
The legal representative added: ‘[Costner] always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very serious.’
Singer claimed after the scene in question was explained to LaBella and she performed it in a rehearsal setting she gave the stunt coordinator a ‘thumbs up’ to do it again if needed.
He added that the same evening LaBella allegedly had dinner with the supervisor, the stunt coordinator, and with the assistant stunt coordinator and raised no complaint.
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She then shared this text message with the stunt coordinator after wrapping the shoot a few weeks later.
‘Thank you for these wonderful weeks! I so appreciate you! I learned so
much and thank you again. I’m really happy it worked out the way it did to.
Have a great rest of the shoot and yes talk soon!’
LaBella acted as a stunt double for one of the lead star’s Ella Hunt whose character Juliette does experience sexual violence. Hunt had negotiated a mandatory intimacy coordinator for scenes involving nudity or intimacy, which extends to her stunt double.
She is also a member of the actors union Sag-Aftra which calls for prior notice and consent for scenes of this nature of at least 48 hours – as was done for a previously filmed scripted rape scene on set.
Costner, 69, is the writer and director behind the Horizon franchise which is also battling an arbitration claim after the star’s loan-out firm allegedly breached a co-financing agreement with New Line Cinema.
Costner debuted the first (of a planned four films) in the Horizon franchise at Cannes Film Festival where he received a 10-minute standing ovation.
The movie also stars Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Abbey Leeand Jamie Campbell Bower.
‘I made this. It’s not mine anymore. It’s yours. I knew that the minute this was over and that’s what it should be. I think movies aren’t about their opening weekends. They’re about their life and about how many times you’re willing to share it.
‘And I hope that you do share this movie with your sweethearts, with your children. I feel so lucky. I feel so blessed — and there’s three more,’ he said in a thank you speech at the time.
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