Latest news with #LaBella
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
'Horizon 2' stunt double sues Kevin Costner for unscripted rape sequence
A stunt performer has filed a lawsuit against actor-filmmaker Kevin Costner, claiming she was compelled to enact an unscripted rape scene on the set of his film Horizon 2 without adequate safety protocols or her consent. Devyn LaBella, who served as the primary stunt performer for Ella Hunt's character, Juliette, in Costner's Horizon series, claims in her suit that the filmmaker improvised a sequence depicting the character's rape. According to the legal filing, Hunt declined to do the scene. LaBella's lawsuit asserts that she was then brought to the project as a replacement without prior warning consent. Crucially, she alleges, an intimacy coordinator was not present during the filming of the scene. The set, LaBella claims, was not even closed off to others at the time of filming the scene. LaBella's complaint states the experience left her feeling humiliation and trauma. In a personal statement, she expressed profound distress. '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,' it states. As per the lawsuit, the incident breached protocols that SAG-AFTRA established; the labour union mandates 48 hours' notice and consent for sequences involving simulated sex or nudity. The alleged incident occurred on May 02, 2023, during filming in Utah. Notably, LaBella had enacted a separate, scripted rape sequence the day prior, which her suit claims was handled professionally. That scene, according to the lawsuit, happened at a closed set with rehearsals and the presence of an intimacy coordinator. Kate McFarlane, LaBella's attorney, characterised the situation as indicative of broader industry issues: 'This case is a clear example of male-dominated, sexist Hollywood movie production. Our client was subjected to brutal sexual conduct completely unprotected from the obvious harm.' Through Marty Singer, his attorney, Kevin Costner has vehemently refuted the allegations. Singer issued a statement asserting that Costner 'always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Insider Reveals How Child Actors Were Left Terrified On Kevin Costner's ‘Horizon 2' Set
A disturbing scene on the set of Kevin Costner's "Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2" has reportedly traumatized child actors who were within earshot of an unscripted, violent rape scene. A production insider revealed that the kids weren't warned and were left scared and confused, prompting serious questions about safety and transparency on Costner's set. An insider from the Horizon 2 production team has come forward with troubling details about how the film's young cast members were caught in the emotional crossfire of a shocking unscripted rape scene. According to TMZ, the violent and graphic scene, directed by Kevin Costner, was filmed on May 2, 2023, without prior notice to the crew or nearby child actors. The insider told the outlet that the moment 'was filmed within earshot of child actors … and neither they nor their adult counterparts were given any heads up about the loud, explicit moment.' Without any forewarning, the children suddenly heard a woman screaming 'bloody murder,' sending waves of panic through the young cast. 'The kids were scared and upset,' the source shared, noting that adults scrambled to reassure them, though no one really knew what was happening. Stunt performer, Devyn LaBella, filed a lawsuit against Costner, claiming she was forced to perform a "violent, unscripted, unscheduled rape scene" with no prior consent, preparation, or presence of an intimacy coordinator. The insider told TMZ that the chaos surrounding the shoot wasn't just traumatizing for LaBella but also reflected a total breakdown in standard safety procedures for everyone on set, especially the children. LaBella had already filmed a rehearsed and approved sexual assault scene on May 1, but she said she was shocked when she arrived the following day to discover she was being asked to film another explicit scene with no script or guidelines. 'There were whispers on set the next day,' the insider recalled. 'People said it was an 'uncomfortable' night, but for the most part, whatever occurred was very 'hush hush.'' LaBella claims there was no contractually required intimacy coordinator present, and she had not been given the 48-hour notice required by SAG guidelines for scenes involving nudity or simulated sex. In her lawsuit, she accused Costner and the production companies of acting 'with malice, fraud, oppression, and in reckless disregard' of her rights. Costner, who directed and starred in "Horizon 2," is at the center of LaBella's lawsuit. She alleged that he personally asked her to perform in the unplanned scene after the lead actress, Ella Hunt, reportedly refused and walked off the set. According to the filing, Costner allegedly failed to call 'action' or 'cut' during the shoot, which left LaBella uncertain when the traumatic scene had started or ended. She said she was left feeling '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,' she told PEOPLE Magazine. Costner's attorney Marty Singer has fiercely denied the allegations in a chat with TMZ, calling LaBella a 'serial accuser of people in the entertainment industry' and stating that the lawsuit has 'absolutely no merit.' He claimed LaBella had rehearsed the scene with another actor and even sent a grateful text message to the stunt coordinator afterward. 'Kevin always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously,' Singer said. The lawsuit against Costner comes following his bitter divorce from Christine Baumgartner. However, despite the divorce, the veteran actor is reportedly enjoying the single life and 'playing the field' at 70. The Oscar-winning actor was recently spotted getting cozy with a mystery brunette at Raspoutine Night Club in West Hollywood. Sources say they chatted for nearly an hour and exchanged physical gestures like touching shoulders and hands. Although the pair didn't arrive or leave together, witnesses noted their chemistry. Insiders told the Daily Mail that Costner isn't looking to settle down and is simply enjoying attention from multiple women. One source said, "Kevin gets hit on everywhere he goes, and this is no different. He has lots of women who are vying for his time and attention." Since his split, Costner has also been linked to several celebrities, including singer Jewel, Jennifer Lopez, and Sharon Stone. Costner and Baumgartner's marriage, which began in 2004, ended in 2023 after she filed for divorce. They share three children and were involved in a contentious custody battle that resulted in Costner agreeing to joint custody and paying $63,000 monthly in child support. While some speculated "Yellowstone" filming caused the split, sources claimed otherwise. In a 2024 interview on "CBS Mornings," Costner called the divorce 'a crushing moment' and admitted, 'It hurt.' Despite the emotional fallout, he said he must remain strong for his children, noting per The Blast, 'I can't wilt like a daisy. I have to go forward. I have to go forward. I have to continue to be who I am, and keep a special eye on who [my children] are.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Legal Trouble Is on the Horizon for Kevin Costner Following Stunt Performer's Lawsuit
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." 1955–present A stunt performer has sued Kevin Costner over an alleged unscripted rape scene in the 2024 western Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2. Devyn LaBella, the lead stunt double for star Ella Hunt, filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles court on May 27 accusing Costner, in his capacity as the movie's director, and Horizon's production companies of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. In the lawsuit, LaBella alleges the 70-year-old director improvised a rape scene 'without proper notice, consent, preparation, or appropriate safeguard measures in place.' The scene took place between actor Roger Ivens and LaBella, who was standing in for Hunt's character Juliette. According to LaBella, Costner added the unrehearsed scene at the last minute and filmed on an open set without her consent and without the presence of a mandatory intimacy coordinator. The suit further claims she faced retaliation after reporting the 'violent' incident and wasn't called back to continue her work on the film series. Costner's attorney Marty Singer denied the allegations, telling Rolling Stone that the lawsuit had 'absolutely no merit.' Singer also said the Oscar winner 'always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously.' Award-winning actor and director Kevin Costner has starred in the movies Dances With Wolves, The Untouchables, and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, as well as the hit TV show Yellowstone. After studying at California State University, Costner broke into Hollywood and established a reputation as a lead actor in the critically acclaimed 1980s features The Untouchables, Bull Durham, and Field of Dreams. He then directed and starred in the 1990 epic film Dances With Wolves, which won seven Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director. Although Costner has largely worked in film, his television roles have been memorable. He won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his performance in the 2012 History Channel miniseries Hatfields & McCoys before starring as John Dutton in the neo-Western series Yellowstone, which ended after five seasons in 2024. FULL NAME: Kevin Michael CostnerBORN: January 18, 1955BIRTHPLACE: Lynwood, CaliforniaSPOUSES: Cindy Silva (1978-1994) and Christine Baumgartner (2004-2024)CHILDREN: Annie, Lily, Joe, Liam, Cayden, Hayes, and GraceASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Capricorn Kevin Michael Costner was born on January 18, 1955, in Lynwood, California. He is the son of a power company employee, and his father's job necessitated a number of moves during Costner's youth. In his high school years, Costner struggled with insecurities because of his short stature. He hadn't yet hit his major growth spurt and has said he was between 5-foot-2 and 5-foot-4. Eventually, he did grow and now stands around 6 feet, 1 inch. Costner attended California State University in Fullerton, where he studied marketing. During college, he developed an interest in acting and decided to pursue the craft professional after graduating in 1978. Costner spent years as a struggling performer in the late 1970s. He sometimes worked as a carpenter and also had a behind-the-scenes job as a gofer for Raleigh Studios for a time. Finally, he broke onto the scene and has consistently worked since the '80s. Costner is sometimes compared to such screen legends as Gary Cooper and Jimmy Stewart. A selection of his most notable movies and TV shows are below. Costner landed a role as a suicide victim in the 1983 ensemble drama The Big Chill, with Glenn Close, Kevin Kline, William Hurt, Jeff Goldblum, and others. What looked like his first big break ended in disappointment when all of his scenes ended up on the cutting room floor. 'I rehearsed for a month with the whole cast and shot for about a week. I knew when I was shooting it that if anything would be cut it would be my scenes,' Costner later explained. But The Big Chill's director, Lawrence Kasdan, remembered Costner and later signed him for the 1985 western Silverado. The movie—which also starred Kline, Scott Glenn, and Danny Glover—proved to be a springboard to other opportunities in Hollywood. In 1987, Costner's career really took off with two hit films. He starred with Sean Young in the popular thriller No Way Out and played the legendary crime fighter Eliot Ness in The Untouchables, with Sean Connery and Robert De Niro. Untouchables director Brian De Palma praised Costner's work on the movie, saying that 'he can take those old western lawman lines and make them real.' Continuing his winning streak, Costner starred in the baseball romantic comedy Bull Durham (1988), with Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins. With 1989's Field of Dreams, Costner again won over audiences with his everyman appeal. He played a farmer who creates a baseball diamond on his land on the instruction of a voice he hears. The fantastical yet heartfelt film did well both critically and commercially. Costner, now an established box office star, got the green light to work on his directorial debut, Dances with Wolves. The movie, based on the Michael Black novel of the same name, followed a Civil War soldier who befriends a tribe of Sioux Indians. The film's production was a labor of love with shooting stretching out over 18 months, five of which were spent on location in South Dakota. In addition to directing and producing, Costner also starred in the lead role of Lieutenant Dunbar. When Dances with Wolves arrived to theaters in November 1990, it was incredibly well received. The movie sold north of $184 million in tickets worldwide, making it the third highest-grossing release of the year behind Home Alone and Ghost. Critics loved it, too. The movie garnered a whopping 12 Academy Award nominations, including nods for Costner's acting and directing. On Oscars night, Costner accepted two of the film's trophies, for Best Picture and Best Director. Costner continued to enjoy box office success with the adventure tale Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) and the romantic drama The Bodyguard (1992) with Whitney Houston. But Costner soon ran into a series of disappointments. While earning kudos from critics, his film with Clint Eastwood, A Perfect World (1993), failed to make much an impression on moviegoers. Then, his turn as the famous western icon in Wyatt Earp (1994) received mixed reviews and did mediocre business at the box office. Working as its star and producer, Costner faced a tremendous amount of challenges with the post-apocalyptic film Waterworld (1995). This futuristic tale of a nearly landless Earth had problems from the start. Filming largely took place on the open ocean on specially built platforms, one of which sank but was subsequently recovered. The cast and crew also battled seasickness and the elements, which sometimes delayed the production. The movie, which also starred Dennis Hopper and Jeanne Tripplehorn, opened strong with a $21 million first weekend, but it soon lost steam at the box office. It also received a tepid reception from critics. Undaunted, Costner worked on another futuristic epic, The Postman (1997). He played the title character, a man who pretends to be a letter carrier in a post-Apocalyptic America fractured by nuclear war. His charade brings hope to an isolated community. Some critics called The Postman the worst film of the year, while others noted that it was 'a misfire' and 'way too long, too pretentious and too self-indulgent.' After The Postman, Costner's star power seemed to fade somewhat. He didn't help his reputation by getting into a very public dispute with Universal over edits made to his next baseball film, For the Love of Game (1998). However, the actor showed that he still could give an impressive performance with Thirteen Days (2000), a true-life drama about the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Remaining busy into the new millennium, Costner starred in the heist film 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001) and in the 2005 romantic comedies The Upside of Anger and Rumor Has It... with Jennifer Aniston and Shirley MacLaine. Following the 2008 election comedy Swing Vote, he appeared in the 2010 drama The Company Men, with Chris Cooper, Ben Affleck, and Tommy Lee Jones. In 2012, Costner tackled a juicy role on the small screen, starring in and producing the History Channel miniseries Hatfields & McCoys as Devil Anse Hatfield, the leader of a famous feuding family. His nemesis, Randall McCoy, was played by Bill Paxton. Hatfields & McCoys earned Emmy and Globe Globe nominations as one of the best shows of the year, and Costner left both ceremonies with awards for best actor in a miniseries. A busy 2014 had Costner appearing in Man of Steel as Superman's adoptive Earth father—a role he reprised for 2016's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice—as well as in Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, 3 Days to Kill, Draft Day, and Black or White. After starring as coach Jim White in the inspirational sports drama McFarland, USA (2015), he had prominent supporting roles in Hidden Figures (2016) and Molly's Game (2017). Beginning in 2018, Costner found more success on the small screen with the Paramount series Yellowstone. The drama had the veteran actor starring as John Dutton, owner of a sprawling ranch, with a cast that included Kelly Reilly, Luke Grimes, and Wes Bentley as his children. For his performance, Costner won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a TV Drama in 2023. Despite the show's success, Costner became embroiled in drama behind-the-scenes. In August 2023, he spoke out about his lengthy dispute with Paramount over finances, claiming in his divorce proceedings that the network owed him $12 million in wages. It was later reported that he was also in a feud with series creator Taylor Sheridan. 'I made Yellowstone the first priority, and to insinuate anything else would be wrong,' Costner told Deadline in May 2024. 'I don't know why they didn't stick up for me.' The turmoil led the actor to exit the show early before it abruptly ended in its fifth season in December 2024. Costner starred in Netflix's The Highwaymen (2019) as Frank Hamer, the former Texas Ranger who spearheaded the successful hunt of the infamous crime duo of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. He then went in a different direction after years of leading man roles, voicing the character of Enzo the dog in The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019). Costner's latest major production has been Horizon: An American Saga. He directs and stars in the Western epic, initially slated to encompass four films. Chapter 1 arrived in 2024 to mixed reviews and disappointing box office numbers. Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2 released just months and fared worse. The movies' poor performances have put the future films in jeopardy, though Costner has promised 'to go as far as my money takes me.' He has reportedly invested around $100 million of his own money. The third Horizon film is in production. Then, in May 2025, a stunt performer who worked on Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2 filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Costner and the film's production companies over an unscripted rape scene. In the lawsuit, Ella Hunt's stunt double Devyn LaBella accused him of improvising an unscheduled and unrehearsed rape scene without her consent and without a mandatory intimacy coordinator on set. Costner's attorney denied the allegations. In 2005, Costner turned to one of his other passions: music. He started working with a country rock band called Modern West. They released their first album, Untold Truths, in 2008, and followed with 2010's Turn It On and 2011's From Where I Stand. In 2012, the group put out Famous for Killing Each Other: Music from and Inspired By Hatfields & McCoys. Kevin Costner & Modern West has since released the tracks 'Alive in the City' (2014) and 'Love Shine' (2017). Costner has been married and divorced twice. Most recently, the actor was married to Christine Baumgartner from 2004 until February 2024. Together, they share three children: Cayden, Hayes, and Grace. Costner also has three children—Annie, Lily, and Joe—from his first marriage to Cindy Silva. Additionally, he has a son, Liam, from his relationship with socialite Bridget Rooney. In everything he does, Costner seems to be listening to his own counsel, not following any typical Hollywood playbook. 'You've got to blaze your own trail or you're just going to feed at the trough,' he once explained. 'Feeding at the trough can get you pretty fat. But I choose to go my own way.' Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us! You Might Also Like Nicole Richie's Surprising Adoption Story The Story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Her Mother Queen Camilla's Life in Photos
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish 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 Kevin Costner has been accused of making a stuntwoman perform a 'violent and unscripted' rape scene in his latest Western film Credit: AP 7 Devyn LaBella, 34, has sued the Hollywood star and director Credit: Getty 7 Costner in the film Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 playing Hayes Ellison Credit: PA 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 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. Most read in Celebrity 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 Labella is now seeking damages in an amount to be determined at trial Credit: Getty 7 Costner acted and directed on the 2024 Western hit Credit: Rex 7 Costner denies all the allegations Credit: Getty 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. Read more on the Irish Sun 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. 7 LaBella has been a Hollywood stunt performer since 2020 Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Kevin Costner sued by stuntwoman Devyn LaBella over ‘violent & unscripted' rape scene in new Western movie Horizon
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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 Kevin Costner has been accused of making a stuntwoman perform a 'violent and unscripted' rape scene in his latest Western film Credit: AP 7 Devyn LaBella, 34, has sued the Hollywood star and director Credit: Getty 7 Costner in the film Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 playing Hayes Ellison Credit: PA 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 Labella is now seeking damages in an amount to be determined at trial Credit: Getty 7 Costner acted and directed on the 2024 Western hit Credit: Rex 7 Costner denies all the allegations Credit: Getty 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.
