Kevin Costner sued over 'unscripted rape scene' he directed in his Horizon film
In the documents, it was claimed the stunt performer 'was the victim of a violent, unscripted, unscheduled rape scene directed by Kevin Costner' on the set of Horizon
Kevin Costner has been named in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a stunt performer who alleged she had to film a "violent" and "unscripted" rape scene directed by Costner while on the set of his movie, Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2 in 2023. The stunt performer filed the complaint in the Superior Court of California for Los Angeles County on Tuesday, May 27.
In the documents, it was alleged she "was the victim of a violent, unscripted, unscheduled rape scene directed by Kevin Costner." She also included the production companies behind the movie as defendants in the suit and is suing for an undisclosed amount, requesting a trial by jury. The actor's attorney denied the allegations made against him, adding that Costner "takes safety on set very seriously."
The stunt actor, who was hired as a double for lead actress Ella Hunt under a SAG agreement, claimed her job was to stand in for the lead star "during physical scenes".
According to the civil complaint, it was noted how SAG doesn't permit "any last minute requests for nudity or simulated sex", adding producers are supposed to provide a two-day notice and get the okay from the performer when it comes to changes with intimate scenes.
Her contract also allegedly requires a intimacy coordinator for the scenes. Her complaint alleged she filmed for a few weeks "without incident" and was told she would step in as a double for "a scripted, aggressive and intimate rape scene" with the lead star's character and actor Douglas Smith's character Sig due to the scenes' "very physical nature".
She claimed the scripted scene, filmed on May 1 2023, was "wrapped" with "no issues", with it being a closed set "due to the sensitive nature of what was being recorded." But on the next day, she claimed she was on set for a "non-intimate scene" as a double and went on to allege that Costner added and directed a scene where another actor, Roger Ivens (playing a character named Birke), was supposed to "climb on top of Ms Hunt, violently raking up her skirt".
The complaint alleged the scene wasn't on the call sheet for the day, with the only scenes being the lead actress, Ms Hunt, rifling through a dresser and a second scene where Mr Smith (playing Sig) interacts with Ms Hunt's character. Ivens isn't named as a defendant in the suit. Upon learning of the new unscripted scene, the lead actress allegedly left the set after refusing to do the scene.
Costner allegedly told the stunt performer to stand in "without proper notice, consent, preparation, or appropriate safeguard measures in place".
The stunt performer, who insisted she never gave consent for the added-in scene, claimed the task was "not within the scope of her role as a stunt double" and alleged she didn't know Ms Hunt walked off set after allegedly refusing to film the scene - which was claimed to be an open set.
"As directed by Costner, this unscripted, unrehearsed scene consisted of Mr. Ivens mounting [the stunt performer] while miming the unbuttoning of his pants, and using his body and arms forcibly pinning down [the stunt performer], who was on her back underneath him. Mr. Ivens violently rustled [her] skirt up as if trying to penetrate her against her will," the complaint alleged.
Costner's lawyer, Marty Singer, denied the allegations made against the actor and director, telling PEOPLE he "always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously."
Singer, who is representing all production companies listed as defendants in the case, claimed the stunt performer is a "serial accuser" with claims that have "absolutely no merit" and are "completely contradicted by her own actions — and the facts." He also accused her of "shakedown tactics" and claimed she approved of the scene after rehearsing it with another actor and even giving her stunt coordinator a "thumbs up".
According to Singer, the performer was in "good spirits" on the day the scene was filmed and allegedly sent the stunt coordinator a text thanking them for the chance to film.
"The facts are clear and we are beyond confident that Kevin will prevail," Singer said.
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