Stunt Performer Sues Kevin Costner and ‘Horizon 2’ Over Unscripted Rape Scene

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On a day in May 2023, stunt performer Devyn LaBella arrived at the Utah set of “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2,” the sequel to the expansive Western series by Kevin Costner, anticipating to stand-in for one of the film’s actors in some routine, uneventful shots. However, she claims, she was unexpectedly subjected to an unplanned, violent sexual assault scene without prior warning, consent, or the presence of a required intimacy coordinator.

Currently, LaBella is filing a lawsuit against Costner and the production companies associated with the film, accusing them of sexual discrimination, harassment, and fostering an unpleasant work atmosphere. The lawsuit also claims that after reporting such incidents, LaBella was retaliated against by not being rehired for further work on the Horizon series and never being employed again by the film’s stunt coordinator, with whom she had previously collaborated.

On that particular day, I found myself vulnerable, lacking shield or assurance, severely hurt, and deceived by a system that had promised security and integrity, as I shared in a statement addressed to The Hollywood Reporter. The events that transpired have shattered my trust and indelibly altered the way I navigate this profession forever.

In a statement, Kevin Costner’s lawyer, Marty Singer, expressed that his client is committed to ensuring everyone feels comfortable while working on film sets and values safety above all. However, he stated emphatically that the lawsuit lacks any credibility whatsoever, contradicting LaBella’s own actions and facts.

The suit symbolizes the most recent legal dispute for Horizon, since Costner’s series-related loan-out company has been served an arbitration claim due to allegedly violating its cofinancing agreement with New Line Cinema. This lawsuit was filed following unsuccessful negotiations with Costner and production company officials, according to James Vagnini from Valli Kane & Vagnini, one of the lawyers representing LaBella, who also receives backing from the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund.

The Horizon series represents decades of hard work from Costner, a seasoned Western epic actor, spanning from Dances With Wolves to Hatfields & McCoys and Yellowstone. However, no major studio was willing to provide the required funding, so Costner invested $38 million of his own money. The first film in the series debuted in June 2024, but it received lackluster box office earnings.

A rising stunt artist, who previously worked on ‘Barbie’ and ‘American Horror Stories’, LaBella, was brought on board for ‘Horizon’s second installment as the lead stunt double for actress Ella Hunt. Hunt portrays one of the film’s primary characters, a role that included scenes of sexual violence. According to the lawsuit, Hunt requested and secured an intimacy coordinator for all nude or intimate scenes, a requirement that extended to LaBella as well. Furthermore, being members of SAG-AFTRA, both Hunt and LaBella, had their intimate scenes governed by the union’s regulations, which demand prior notice, consent, and a closed set before such scenes could be filmed.

The scripted rape scene filmed on May 1 followed all established guidelines, as stated in the lawsuit: The specifics of LaBella’s more physical, aggressive actions were outlined on the call sheet for the day, rehearsed with a stunt coordinator and an intimacy advisor, supervised by that intimacy advisor during filming, was shot on a closed set, and was carefully structured to allow breaks between takes for performers.

However, it’s said that the rules were seemingly disregarded the following day, as LaBella arrived on set to substitute for two non-intimate scenes and was requested by Costner to fill in for Hunt in one shot. It is claimed that LaBella wasn’t aware, but according to the complaint, Hunt had left the set, reportedly angry, after Costner unexpectedly inserted an additional scene of sexual violence involving a different character than the previous day’s scene.

In the filming of a scene, LaBella was directed to lie down on a wagon, but it wasn’t until Costner requested that actor Roger Ivens perform a simulated sexual act without consent on top of her that she realized this scene involved rape. The complaint alleges that Ivens forcefully lifted LaBella’s skirt and appeared to be attempting to penetrate her against her will, while simultaneously pinning her down as per the director’s instructions. However, neither LaBella nor the crew were informed about the nature of the scene in advance, it wasn’t rehearsed, there was no intimacy coordinator present, and the entire crew could see the unfolding action on monitors.

Costner’s legal representative Singer insists that what occurred was merely a practice session without any cameras recording, not an actual filmed scene itself. The film’s stunt coordinators were indeed present in this rehearsal, as Singer further notes. Following the rehearsal, LaBella signaled her Stunt Coordinator supervisor with a thumbs up and expressed readiness to perform the scene if necessary, according to him; however, it was another performer who ended up filming the scene instead of LaBella.

The lawsuit highlights that Costner failed to regularly use the signals “action” or “cut,” which caused confusion for LaBella because she didn’t have enough time to understand what was happening since the action kept repeating. On the other hand, “Mr. Ivens remained physically connected to Ms. LaBella throughout this time,” according to the lawsuit. Furthermore, the complaint alleges that the wardrobe department had not equipped LaBella with appropriate clothing for her undergarments to be exposed due to Costner’s instructions to Ivens.

The account portrays LaBella as visibly disturbed and “fearful” after the incident. Later, she voiced worries and filed grievances with multiple stunt coordinators and the movie’s intimacy supervisor. She felt that the production team was handling her with excessive caution, according to the lawsuit. She received some apologetic words from fellow cast members, but was instructed to remain in her trailer, fully dressed and not required on set for several days, alleges the complaint.

The singer asserts that LaBella did not express any complaints to the film’s stunt coordinators after their scene, instead appearing in high spirits and making no such complaints. He claims that LaBella invited the stunt coordinator Wade Allen to a thank-you dinner post-production, and even sent him a text saying “Thank you for these fantastic weeks!

In the end, LaBella wasn’t asked to return for the third movie of the series, and Allen didn’t bring her back for future projects, although she had worked with him on projects prior to ‘Horizon’.

The legal action claims that following the incident, LaBella’s career suddenly ended, with Allen choosing not to rehire her. Moreover, the workplace and stunt work, which previously provided meaning and satisfaction, now evoke anxiety for Ms. LaBella, making her feel ‘discarded’ and ‘valueless’, as stated in the complaint.

Should the case proceed to court, LaBella along with her legal team are requesting the jury to consider any possible punitive damages. Apart from seeking compensation, the purpose of this lawsuit is also to bring attention to the ongoing oversights at prominent Hollywood production companies regarding the effects of participating in sexually explicit and violent scenes. This includes the necessity for intimacy coordination, a point emphasized in the complaint.

After the #MeToo movement sparked a reevaluation of power relationships on film sets, there has been a significant increase in the employment of intimacy coordinators in Hollywood. These professionals specialize in overseeing scenes involving intimate interactions, aiming to ensure performer safety and comfort. Some well-known actors, such as Rachel Zegler and Phoebe Dynevor, have welcomed their presence, while others, like Mikey Madison and Sean Bean, have either declined or expressed they don’t require their assistance.

As a gamer, I’d rephrase it like this:

In this specific lawsuit, it was required by an actor’s contract to have an intimacy coordinator present, enhancing the safety measures already in place by unions. According to Jennifer Mondino, the senior director of the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund who backed this case, the standard guidelines for handling intimate scenes on regular film sets were not being adhered to.

According to LaBella’s attorney, Vagnini, “On productions valued at $100 million or more, such incidents might occur. Now, consider the smaller-scale projects where cost savings are a priority and potential shortcuts abound.

Regarding Singer’s statement, it’s evident and we have absolute faith that Kevin will emerge victorious.

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2025-05-28 01:55