Kevin Costner Sued By Stunt Performer Over Unscripted 'Horizon 2' Rape Scene

Screen Geek

4 days ago

Celebrity Kevin Costner is one of the biggest individuals behind the Horizon: An American Saga film series. He is attached to the films as star, co-writer, producer, and director. Now Kevin Costner is being sued by a stunt performer over an unscripted rape scene featured in Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 .
As shared via THR, stunt performer Devyn LaBella worked on the film in May 2023. She participated in the second film of the series with the intention of filling in for what the outlet refers to as 'basic, fairly boring shots.' This was allegedly not the case, however.
According to the outlet:
'Instead, she says, she was surprised by being subjected to an unscripted, brutal rape scene without proper notice, consent or the presence of a contractually mandated intimacy coordinator.'
Due to this situation, 'LaBella is suing Costner and the film's production companies for sexual discrimination, harassment and the creation of a hostile work environment. Moreover, the complaint alleges LaBella faced retaliation after she reported the incident by not being called back for subsequent work on the Horizon series and never being hired again by the film's stunt coordinator, with whom she had worked previously.'
LaBella also issued the following statement to the outlet to emphasize how 'deeply betrayed' she feels and that it has 'forever changed' her career:
'On that day, I was left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism,' LaBella said . 'What happened to me shattered my trust and forever changed how I move through this industry.'
An opposing statement was released by Costner's attorney, Marty Singer, who claims that Costner 'always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously.'
Singer also adds that LaBella's lawsuit has 'absolutely no merit' and that it's 'completely contradicted' by her 'own actions – and the facts.'
The production had LaBella operate as the stunt double for actress Ella Hunt. Hunt's role was known to include sexual violence, and furthermore, the outlet adds that she 'negotiated a mandatory intimacy coordinator on all nude or intimate scenes,' which is a negotiation that would also apply to LaBella.
As such, a scripted rape scene shot on May 1 'went by the book,' in which 'LaBella performed the more physical, rough aspects of the action,' all of which 'was detailed on the day's call sheet, rehearsed with a stunt coordinator and an intimacy coordinator, later monitored by that intimacy coordinator, took place on a closed set and was structured such that performers got breaks in between shots.'
While these appear to be ideal working conditions for such a scene, that was allegedly not the case the following day. As summarized by the outlet:
'But rules were allegedly thrown out the window the next day, when LaBella showed up on set to double for two non-intimate sequences and was asked by Costner to stand in for Hunt for a shot. Unbeknownst to LaBella, the complaint claims, Hunt had just walked off of the set, 'visibly upset,' after Costner told her he had just added an impromptu scene of sexual violence perpetuated by a different character than the previous day's scene.'
The outlet continues:
'LaBella, instructed to lay down on a wagon, allegedly only found out that this was a rape scene after Costner called for actor Roger Ivens to simulate nonconsensual sex on top of her: 'Mr. Ivens violently rustled Ms. LaBella's skirt up as if trying to penetrate her against her will' while pinning her down per the director's orders, the complaint states. No notice had been given, the scene had not been rehearsed, no intimacy coordinator was on set and all of the action was aired on monitors that could be viewed by the entire crew, according to the suit.'
In response to these allegations, the outlet claims Singer's response is 'that this was a rehearsal without cmaeras rolling and not a filmed scene itself.' Additionally, he claims that the stunt coordinators for the film were present, and that LaBella reacted after the rehearsal by giving 'her stunt coordinator a 'thumbs up' and indicated her willingness to then shoot the scene, if needed.'
However, the scene was ultimately shot with a stand-in performer instead of LaBella. During the rehearsal, Costner never called 'action' or 'cut' in a consistent manner, and so LaBella was confused in the moment. 'Mr. Ivens never separated from Ms. LaBella,' the suit claims. The suit also claims that she was not properly prepared by the wardrobe department for when her undergarments would be exposed, something that occurred when Ivens was directed by Costner.
After, LaBella claims to have been 'terrified' and complained to different stunt coordinators and the film's intimacy coordinator. While she received some apologies, she was otherwise made to stay inside her trailer, 'fully costumed' but 'not used on set for several days.'
While Singer insists she showed gratitude for working on the film when production wrapped, including her decision to take stunt coordinator Wade Allen to dinner as a 'thank-you,' LaBella insists that her career has come to an 'abrupt halt' ever since the incident occurred.
As such, we'll have to see how this situation continues. It certainly adds another complicated layer for Kevin Costner and his attempts at making Horizon: An American Saga a major success. Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for any additional updates as we have them.