Latest news with #DevynLaBella
Epoch Times
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
Kevin Costner Sued by ‘Horizon 2' Stunt Performer Over Alleged Unscripted Rape Scene
A female stunt performer has sued Kevin Costner over claims she was required to participate in a 'violent unscripted, unscheduled rape scene' while filming the second installment of the award-winning actor's four-part Western movie series, 'Horizon: An American Saga.' Devyn LaBella filed the lawsuit in the Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday, accusing Costner and the film's production companies of a host of complaints, including sexual discrimination and harassment, creating a hostile work environment, intentionally inflicting emotional distress, and breach of contract.
Screen Geek
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Screen Geek
Kevin Costner Sued By Stunt Performer Over Unscripted 'Horizon 2' Rape Scene
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.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Stunt double sues Kevin Costner over forced, unscripted rape scene on ‘Horizon 2'
LOS ANGELES, May 30 — A stunt performer on Horizon 2 filed a lawsuit against Kevin Costner on Tuesday, alleging she was compelled to participate in an unplanned rape scene that lacked standard safety measures and consent protocols. As reported by Variety, Devyn LaBella, who served as the lead stunt double for actress Ella Hunt — portraying the character Juliette — claims that Costner, the director, introduced an improvised scene in which Juliette would be assaulted. According to the lawsuit, Hunt declined to take part, prompting producers to substitute LaBella with little notice or explanation. The complaint asserts that LaBella was made to perform the scene without prior briefing, consent, or the supervision of an intimacy coordinator. It further alleges that the male actor involved was directed to simulate physical aggression, including pinning LaBella down and forcefully lifting her skirt, all while the set remained open and unregulated. The complaint states that LaBella was left feeling humiliated and traumatised by the ordeal. 'On that day, I was left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism,' LaBella was quoted as saying in a statement. 'What happened to me shattered my trust and forever changed how I move through this industry.' The lawsuit claims the scene breached SAG-AFTRA guidelines, which require at least 48 hours' notice and explicit consent for any nudity or simulated sex. The incident reportedly occurred on May 2, 2023, during filming in Utah. In a statement to the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday, Costner's attorney, Martin Singer, has strongly denied the allegations made by LaBella, calling the claims completely 'without merit' and contradicted by LaBella's own behaviour and the facts. Singer labelled LaBella a 'serial accuser' in the entertainment industry and accused her and her legal team of using 'shakedown tactics'. He stated that the disputed scene was explained to LaBella, who rehearsed it and indicated her willingness to perform it if needed, though she ultimately did not have to shoot it. According to publication, LaBella's representatives had not responded to requests for comment.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Kevin Costner sued by stuntwoman Devyn LaBella over ‘violent & unscripted' rape scene in new Western movie Horizon
KEVIN Costner has been accused of making a stuntwoman perform a "violent and unscripted" rape scene in his latest Western film. Devyn LaBella, 34, has sued the Hollywood star and director for allegedly instructing an actor to pin her down and simulate rape without any formal warning or a rehearsal. 7 7 7 Costner, 70, was acting as well as directing on set for the 2024 movie Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2, at the time. He has denied all the allegations. LaBella, who played the stunt double for actress Ella Hunt in Horizon, had featured in several scenes during the 2023 filming schedule. One of these included a planned sexual assault scene on May 1, the suit says. LaBella, a former gymnast, says she happily agreed to these scenes due to the proper protocol being taken both before and during filming. These including regular meetings, rehearsals, minimal crew members on set and the presence of an intimacy co-ordinator at all times. But a day later, LaBella alleges in the lawsuit that she was asked to return to set and take part in an unscripted scene involving sexual violence. Costner is accused of directing a fellow actor to pin down LaBella on a wagon before simulating rape. The lawsuit also claims Costner demanded several retakes. The scene was initiated with no warning, rehearsal or choreography, according to the stuntwoman. Kevin Costner poses with five of his children at 'really special' Horizon premiere as fans praise 'beautiful family' She also claims there was no indication of when the cameras were rolling during the scenes. A line in the suit reads: 'There was no escaping the situation, and all Ms LaBella could do was wait for the nightmare to end." The Los Angeles lawsuit also names the production companies involved as defendants as well as Costner. Kate McFarlane, the lawyer representing LaBella, described it as a 'clear example of male-dominated, sexist Hollywood movie production'. She added: 'Our client was subjected to brutal sexual conduct, completely unprotected from the obvious harm." The lawsuit also claims LaBella was met with 'continuous reminders of the shame, humiliation and complete lack of control' she had on set for the remainder of filming. This caused her to experience "sudden bouts of crying on and off set', it continued. 7 As well as denying the allegations, Marty Singer, Costner's lawyer, argued that LaBella was well informed of the scene in advance and had consented to it. Singer says LaBella did not make any complaints at the time either on set or to her supervisors afterwards. 'She continued to work on the movie for a few more weeks until her wrap date, and she took the stunt co-ordinator to a thank-you dinner," he added. LaBella has been a Hollywood stunt performer since 2020. She is now seeking damages in an amount to be determined at trial. The suit is also looking for a public apology to the stuntwoman, the defendants to undergo sexual harassment training and them to be required to use an intimacy co-ordinator on all future productions.
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Kevin Costner sued by stunt woman over unscripted scene in 'Horizon 2'
A stunt performer on Horizon 2 sued director and actor Kevin Costner, alleging that she was forced to perform an unscripted scene without proper protocols. The complainant, Devyn LaBella, was the lead stunt double for Ella Hunt, who played the role of Juliette in the Horizon film franchise, reported Variety. According to LaBella's lawsuit, Costner, the director allegedly improvised a scene in which Hunt's character would be assaulted sexually in the film. Hunt refused to perform the scene, so the stunt woman was brought in as her replacement. "On that day, I was left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism," LaBella said in a statement as reported by Variety. "What happened to me shattered my trust and forever changed how I move through this industry," As per the outlet, the suit alleges that the scene violated protocols negotiated by SAG-AFTRA, which includes a requirement for a 48-hour notice. The incident took place on May 2, 2023, on the sets in Utah. LaBella's attorney called it a clear example of "male-dominated sexist Hollywood" movie production. "...Our client was subjected to brutal sexual conduct completely unprotected from the obvious harm," said Kate McFarlane, one of the plaintiffs' attorneys, was quoted as saying. However, Costner's attorney has denied the allegations, saying he "always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously". Costner's attorney, Marty Singer, said that the scene was explained to LaBella, and after a rehearsal, she gave a "thumbs up" to her stunt coordinator, indicating her willingness to film the scene "if needed". That evening, according to Singer, LaBella had dinner with the stunt coordinators and was reportedly in "good spirits" and made "no complaints to them". The suit also states that following the incident, Devyn LaBella allegedly went into therapy to deal with the after-effects of the traumatic experience. In Costner's defence, Singer also produced a text message that LaBella allegedly sent to the stunt coordinator upon completing the shoot. It stated, "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. Have a great rest of the shoot and yes, talk soon!" as quoted by Variety. According to the complaint, LaBella was not hired back for Horizon 3, and has not been hired on any of the coordinator's other projects, though she worked for him regularly beforehand.
