Devyn LaBella, a stunt performer working on Kevin Costner’s film Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2, has filed a lawsuit against the actor and director. She claims she was forced into an unscripted and violent scene without proper consent or safety measures. New evidence, including text messages, has been submitted in court.
LaBella says the incident happened on May 2, 2023, during filming in Utah. She was doubling for actress Ella Hunt, who plays Juliette in the Western film series. The lawsuit states that Costner directed an unplanned scene where another actor, Roger Ivens, simulated a r*pe without warning.
The stuntwoman alleges there was no intimacy coordinator present, which is required for such scenes under SAG-AFTRA rules. She also claims she was not given a 48-hour notice or a chance to consent, both of which are standard industry practices.
“I wanted to discuss yesterday’s abomination when we both have a chance… I was put in a really wrong position and it’s really affected me,” LaBella wrote in a text to the film’s intimacy coordinator, Celeste Cheney, the day after the incident.
Costner’s lawyer, Marty Singer, denies the claims. He says LaBella approved the scene and even thanked her stunt coordinator afterward.
What Happened on Set?
LaBella had been working on Horizon 2 for weeks without issues. A day before the alleged incident, she filmed a scripted intimate scene with proper protocols in place. But on May 2, things took a drastic turn.
According to the lawsuit, Costner added a new scene where Ivens’ character was supposed to climb on top of Hunt’s character and pull up her skirt violently. Hunt reportedly refused and walked off set. LaBella says she was unaware of this and was asked to stand in.
“Without proper notice, consent, preparation, or appropriate safeguard measures… Defendant Costner directed Mr. Ivens to repeatedly perform a violent simulated rpe on Ms. LaBella,”* the lawsuit states.
The scene was allegedly filmed on an open set, meaning crew members could watch on monitors. LaBella claims she felt trapped and humiliated.
New Evidence in the Case
LaBella recently updated her lawsuit with text messages between her and the intimacy coordinator. In them, she questions why no safety measures were in place.
“Why was there no intimacy coordinator? Why was a stunt double doing this non-stunt work? Who is going to take responsibility for the abuse of power?” she wrote.
The intimacy coordinator reportedly filed an incident report, noting that apologies were later given to both LaBella and Hunt. However, LaBella says the trauma affected her deeply. She started therapy in June 2023 for anxiety and sleep issues.
Costner’s Legal Team Responds
Singer, Costner’s attorney, calls the lawsuit a “shakedown.” He claims LaBella gave a “thumbs up” after rehearsing the scene and even sent a grateful text to her supervisor.
“Thank you for these wonderful weeks! I so appreciate you! I learned so much,” the alleged text reads.
Singer also says multiple witnesses contradict LaBella’s version of events. He insists Costner prioritizes safety and comfort on his sets.
Industry Reactions and Fallout
LaBella says she was not rehired for Horizon 3, which began filming in early 2024. She believes this was retaliation for speaking out. Her lawsuit seeks damages and demands better safety protocols in Hollywood.
“On that day, I was left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism,” LaBella said in a statement.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about on-set safety, especially for stunt performers and actors in sensitive scenes.
What Happens Next?
The lawsuit is ongoing, with both sides presenting evidence. LaBella wants a public apology, mandatory intimacy coordinators, and compensation for emotional distress. Costner’s team is pushing for a quick dismissal.
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Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2024 but has not had a wide release yet. The controversy could impact its reception.
