Kevin Costner Faces S*xual Harassment Case After Unscripted ‘Horizon’ Scene With Stuntwoman

Kevin Costner is facing fresh legal challenges after ‘Horizon’ stuntwoman sued him and the production companies for 2023 incident.

Kevin Costner and his Western film saga Horizon are once again at the receiving end of a lawsuit after a stuntwoman accused the Oscar-winner of allegedly directing an unscripted intimate scene.

In a lawsuit filed at the Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, May 27, stuntwoman Devyn LaBella accused the production of failing to provide a safe working environment.

LaBella, who worked as a stunt double for Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 lead actress Ella Hunt, claimed in the lawsuit that she was subjected to an unplanned and violent s*xual assault scene during the filming.

Horizon stuntwoman blames Kevin Costner for failing to provide a safe workplace

Hollywood veteran Kevin Costner was forced to deny the allegations after the Horizon – Part 2 stuntwoman Devyn LaBella named him in the lawsuit. She alleged that the Yellowstone star directed a second, unscripted r*pe scene, which was not initially included in her call sheet.

Kevin Costner in a still from Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 | Credit: New Line Cinema and Warner Bros.

According to LaBella, when the crew filmed the initial scene on May 1, 2023, they wrapped up with no issues. On the next day, she was required to be present on the set as Hunt’s stunt double for a non-intimate scene.

However, she was met with surprise when Costner, Horizon’s director, who was also on set, added another impromptu scene. LaBella claimed that in this scene, a second actor, Roger Ivens, was supposed to climb on top of Ms Hunt, violently raking up her skirt.

However, she pointed out that this latest scene was not present on her call sheet, and thus, took her by surprise. Moreover, as the scene was getting filmed under Costner’s direction in an open set, the Oscar winner allegedly did not call out the standard cues like “action” or “cut.”

LaBella further added that for the scenes filmed on May 2, the film’s stunt or intimacy coordinators were also not present. She noted that the shoot took place without their presence or knowledge.

She claimed that she was also left to perform without informed consent as she was unaware that Ella Hunt had previously refused to do the scene, and had left the set.

The stuntwoman called out the system for failing to provide “safety and professionalism” in the workplace, adding that the experience took a toll on her well-being. She claimed (via The Guardian),

What happened to me shattered my trust and forever changed how I move through this industry. On that day, I was left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism.

While the scene’s actor, Roger Ivens, is not a defendant in the lawsuit, LaBella listed the film’s production companies in the suit as well.

Claiming the experience jeopardized her career and messed with her mental and emotional well-being, she sought damages and a jury trial. She claimed that as an aftereffect of the incident, she was left with long-lasting emotional trauma and felt isolated on set in the following weeks.

She also admitted to seeking therapy for anxiety, sleep disturbance, and fear of intimacy. LaBella is suing and seeking damages for se*ual harassment, a hostile work environment, and breach of contract.

Kevin Costner’s attorney denies allegations, calls Devyn LaBella a ‘serial accuser’

Following LaBella’s lawsuit, Kevin Costner’s attorney Marty Singer vehemently denied the accusation and called LaBella a “serial accuser”. Singer claimed that LaBella’s allegations are “completely contradicted by her own actions and the facts.”

Kevin Costner in a still from Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 | Credit: New Line Cinema and Warner Bros.

Moreover, Singer, who also represents the production companies named in the suit, claimed that it was a “shakedown attempt” to destroy the reputation.

According to Singer, LaBella allegedly rehearsed the said scene and showed her stunt coordinator a “thumbs up.” She reportedly later sent a text message with emojis to express gratitude. Singer said,

She was in good spirits the evening of the scene, even sending her coordinator a message with a cartwheel and heart-hand emoji. The facts are clear, and we are beyond confident that Kevin will prevail.

Denying the allegations, the attorney claimed that contrary to the allegations, Costner is committed to ensuring a safe environment on set.

Horizon is produced by Territory Pictures and distributed by New Line Cinema (through Warner Bros. Pictures).

Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 is currently available for streaming on Netflix and Max (US).