Devyn LaBella is suing the actor-director and the producers of his film Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 alleging breach of contract, with Costner denying all allegations
A stunt performer is suing Kevin Costner and the producers of his film Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2, alleging that she was made to perform in a “violent” unscripted rape scene without the required notice, consent or a mandatory intimacy coordinator present.
Devyn LaBella was the lead stunt double for Ella Hunt, who plays Juliette in the Horizon films, a four-part western anthology written, directed by and starring Costner. LaBella’s lawsuit, filed in California on Tuesday, alleges that on 2 May 2023 Costner improvised a scene in which Juliette would be raped, one day after Hunt and LaBella filmed a scripted scene in which Juliette was raped by a different character.
Hunt refused to perform the new scene, the lawsuit alleges, and LaBella was summoned to set, without knowing that Hunt had declined and left.
According to her complaint, LaBella was not warned that the new male actor had been directed to mount her, pin her down and “violently” rake up her skirt. LaBella alleges that Costner told her to “lay down” in a wagon before he directed the male actor “to repeatedly perform a violent simulated rape” on her while Costner “experimented with different takes of the rape action”.
LaBella’s suit alleges that the scene violated contractural protocols negotiated by the performers’ union Sag-Aftra, which requires that all performers are given 48 hours notice and must consent to any scenes involving nudity or simulated sex.
She claims she was not given the required notice and that she did not consent, as stipulated in her contract. She also claims the film’s intimacy coordinator was not present, which was mandatory under Hunt’s contract and applied to LaBella as her stand in.
The lawsuit also claims the set was not closed; only a minimal crew is meant to be present for sensitive scenes involving nudity, sex or rape. LaBella’s suit claims “the scene was broadcast publicly on monitors for the entire crew to witness … anyone could walk by and observe the scene being performed.”
LaBella’s suit states that the scripted rape scene, filmed the day before, involved rehearsals and the presence of an intimacy coordinator, and the set was closed for the actors’ privacy.
LaBella is suing for damages for sexual harassment, a hostile work environment and breach of contract, claiming she immediately felt “shock, embarrassment and humiliation” and began attending therapy in June 2023.
“I was left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism,” LaBella said. “What happened to me shattered my trust and forever changed how I move through this industry.”
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Costner denied the allegations. In a statement given to Variety and Deadline, his attorney Marty Singer said the actor-director “always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously”, and said LaBella’s claim has “absolutely no merit, and it is completely contradicted by her own actions – and the facts”.
Singer said the scene had been explained to LaBella, and after a rehearsal, she had given a “thumbs up” to a stunt coordinator, indicating her consent. He also claimed LaBella had been in “good spirits” afterwards and produced a text message that LaBella allegedly sent to the stunt coordinator after the shoot which read: “Thank you for these wonderful weeks! I so appreciate you! I learned so much and thank you again. I’m really happy it worked out the way it did to. Have a great rest of the shoot and yes talk soon!”
LaBella’s lawsuit claims that she had complained to colleagues about the experience but, because production was still under way, she felt she “had to continue working and keep up a professional attitude”.
Costner has partly self-funded the first two Horizon films, putting up US$38m of the estimated US$100m budget. Chapter 1 was released in June 2024 but flopped at the box office, making $38.7m globally. Chapter 2 premiered at the Venice international film festival in September 2024 but a general release date is yet to be announced.
Kevin Costner, 70, drops retirement bombshell after frosty reunion with ex-wife
Kevin Costner revealed whether he has plans to retire following a successful and decades-long career in the industry.
The Yellowstone alum, 70 – who recently had a frosty reunion with ex-wife Christine Baumgartner at their son’s graduation – opened up about the topic during an interview with People.
The actor made his screen debut in the early 80s and has since garnered a number of accolades, such as two Academy Awards and three Golden Globes.
But Costner announced that he has no intention of slowing down anytime soon and said, ‘I don’t even think about retiring, because I’ll just move to the next thing that captures my imagination.’
He further explained that his own imagination ‘is what determines what I do, not a boss.’
Kevin added, ‘I’ve felt really lucky in my life. I’d like to think that I worked for all of it, but not everybody can live by the same blueprint.’
Kevin Costner, 70, revealed whether he has plans to retire following a successful and decades-long career in the industry; seen in May in L.A.
In regards to having a ‘bucket list’ of what he still wants to do with his career, the actor stated, ‘I don’t have those things.
‘I have that list, [but] I don’t refer to it that way. But certainly my eyes and my enthusiasms are wide open and very big.’
Costner added that he has ‘enjoyed life and imagining what I can do, what can I be about and what makes a difference. Not only to me, but to other people. What just satisfies me?
‘I go through that whole idea, and you realize it’s about time. It’s a rush to get to all of them.’
The actor has previously touched on his future in the industry, such as during a conversation with AARP in 2019.
When questioned if he ‘ever thinks’ about retiring, the Hollywood star replied, ‘I really feel like some of the great surprises I have are in front of me.
‘As I play out the second half of my career, I’ve been doing a lot of writing, and there are projects I still want to do.’
He further expressed that his ‘life is a lot more than movies. I just periodically pop up in them. In between, I’m living my other life.’
But Costner announced that he has no intention of slowing down anytime soon and said, ‘I don’t even think about retiring, because I’ll just move to the next thing that captures my imagination’; seen in 1991
!['I have that list, [but] I don't refer to it that way. But certainly my eyes and my enthusiasms are wide open and very big,' he said; seen in 2024 in NYC](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/06/15/03/99387239-14813451-_I_have_that_list_but_I_don_t_refer_to_it_that_way_But_certainly-a-24_1749954468141.jpg)
‘I have that list, [but] I don’t refer to it that way. But certainly my eyes and my enthusiasms are wide open and very big,’ he said; seen in 2024 in NYC
Costner began his career when he took on a role in the 1981 movie Sizzle Beach, U.S.A. – also known as Malibu Hot Summer.
He went on to make appearances in other films such as Fandango (1985) and The Untouchables (1987).
Kevin worked alongside other stars such as Robert De Niro, Andy Garcia and Sean Connery in the crime film – which garnered four Oscar nominations.
In 1990, Costner both starred in and directed the Western epic Dances With Wolves – which won him Best Picture and Best Director the following year at the Academy Awards.
Other movies the actor is known for is Field Of Dreams (1989), The Bodyguard (1992), Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves (1991), Wyatt Earp (1994), Open Range (2003) and Man Of Steel (2013).
While Kevin has spent many years on the big screen, he has also taken on roles in television projects – such as the 2012 miniseries Hatfields & McCoys which earned him an Emmy win.
He notably portrayed the character of rancher John Dutton in Taylor Sheridan’s neo-Western drama series Yellowstone.
In 2024, Costner starred in, wrote and directed Horizon: An American Saga – which is set to be followed by three additional movies.
He went on to make appearances in other films such as Fandango (1985) and The Untouchables (1987) – seen above
He notably portrayed the character of rancher John Dutton in Taylor Sheridan’s neo-Western drama series Yellowstone
The second part premiered earlier this year at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in February. It was also screened during the 81st Venice Film Festival last year in September.
Chapter 2 was set to hit theaters also last year – however due to low box office numbers, a new release date has yet to be confirmed.
Late last year in November, the actor opened up about the project.
‘I’m hoping, I’m dreaming, I’m meeting all the billionaires that we all hear about – they’re all hiding in the shadows,’ Costner stated while attending the Deadline Contenders Los Angeles event.
At the time, the star also shared that production for the third part was also already underway.
‘I don’t know how I’m going to do it,’ he expressed, ‘but I’m going to make it and then I’m going to make the fourth one. And if you want to say “the end” at that point, then that’s the end.’
The Oscar winner began coming up with the idea for the project decades earlier in the 1980s.
‘It’s my own private UFO. I’ve seen it, and I will never forget it, and I chase it as long as I can…I will figure out a way to bring you 3 and 4, because you’ve gone to 1 and you’re gonna go to 2, and we’re all gonna go west together.’
‘I’m hoping, I’m dreaming, I’m meeting all the billionaires that we all hear about – they’re all hiding in the shadows,’ Costner stated while attending the Deadline Contenders Los Angeles event; seen above in Horizon: An American Saga (2024)
‘I don’t know how I’m going to do it,’ he expressed, ‘but I’m going to make it and then I’m going to make the fourth one. And if you want to say “the end” at that point, then that’s the end,’ the star said; seen in 2024 in NYC
Kevin’s latest retirement comments come shortly after he had a frosty reunion with ex-wife Christine Baumgartner at their son’s high school graduation this week in Santa Barbara.
The former couple were married in 2004 and welcomed three children together. But in 2023, Christine filed for divorce.
Following a bitter battle, the divorce was finalized last year in February.
Baumgartner has since moved on and is currently engaged to financier Josh Connor – who popped the question earlier this year in January.
Kevin Costner’s Horizon sequel pulled from release after first film flops
Star’s big-budget western sequel taken off release schedule after first has struggled to pass $25m mark at the box office
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