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Kevin Costner was sued by a stunt performer who worked on his film “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter Two,” alleging that she was forced to perform an unscripted rape scene without proper
protocols.
According to the lawsuit obtained by Page Six, Devyn LaBella — who was the lead stunt double for Ella Hunt’s character, Juliette, in the “Horizon” films — sued the “Yellowstone” alum and the
production companies behind the 2024 movie on Tuesday.
LaBella claims in the suit that in May 2023, Costner, who directed the film, improvised a scene in which Hunt’s character would be raped.
“In these new scenes, [Roger Ivens] was to climb on top of Ms. Hunt, violently raking up her skirt,” the lawsuit reads.
“Defendant Costner, who was present on the set, specifically added this scene, which varied from the scene filmed the day before which had not involved pulling up the actor’s skirt.
Moreover, this revised scene is not specified in the assigned call sheet for that day.”
The docs state that Hunt “refused to do the scene and had walked off the set.” LaBella, who had no knowledge of Hunt’s act, was brought in as a “stand-in” by Costner.
“Ms. LaBella was not informed that Ms. Hunt had refused to do the scene and had walked off the set,” the docs state.
“Moreover, the call sheet did not specify what the revised shot would consist of nor did any instruction issue from the production crew that Ms. LaBella’s involvement in the impromptu shot
would go beyond standing in as a standard body-double,” the suit adds.
“She was not warned or prepared for Mr. Ivens to perform or engage in any action on top of her and first learned that Ivens would mount her and violently pull her skirt up when he was
already on top of her doing so.”
LaBella, 34, claims in the suit that Costner, 70, directed Ivens to “repeatedly perform a violent simulated rape” on her “without proper notice, consent, preparation, or appropriate
safeguard measures in place, such as the project’s intimacy coordinator being called in.”
“As directed by Costner, this unscripted, unrehearsed scene consisted of Mr. Ivens mounting Ms. LaBella, while miming the unbuttoning of his pants, and using his body and arms forcibly
pinning down Ms. LaBella, who was on her back underneath him. Mr. Ivens violently rustled Ms. LaBella’s skirt up as if trying to penetrate her against her will,” the docs state.
The suit alleges that the rape scene violated protocols negotiated by SAG-AFTRA, which included actors to consent and be notified 48 hours in advance for any scenes involving nudity or
simulated sex.
Kate McFarlane, one of LaBella’s attorneys, says 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.”
Costner’s attorney, Marty Singer, denies the allegations, telling The Post in a statement that the “Bodyguard” actor “always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his
films and takes safety on set very seriously.”
Singer adds: “However, this claim by Devyn LaBella has absolutely no merit, and it is completely contradicted by her own actions – and the facts. Ms. LaBella is a serial accuser of people in
the entertainment industry and has worked with the same lawyer on past claims. But those shakedown tactics won’t work in this case.”
Costner’s lawyer says the rape scene was explained to LaBella and she allegedly gave a “thumbs up” to her stunt coordinator after rehearsal.
Singer also claims LaBella had dinner with the stunt coordinators that evening and was in “good spirits,” and made “no complaints to them.”
Page Six has reached out to Costner’s rep for comment but did not immediately hear back.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.