Stuntwoman Sues Kevin Costner Over Alleged Unscripted Rape Scene on Set of Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2

Kevin Costner has been sued for sexual discrimination for allegedly directing an unscripted rape scene

A stunt performer working on Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 has filed a lawsuit against actor-director Kevin Costner and his production companies, alleging she was forced to perform a brutal and unscripted simulated rape scene without consent or proper safety protocols.

Devyn LaBella, a professional stuntwoman, claims the incident occurred in May 2023 while filming in Utah. Hired as a stand-in for actress Ella Hunt, LaBella alleges she was unexpectedly subjected to a violent simulated rape scene on set, without prior notice, written consent, or the legally required presence of an intimacy coordinator — a condition explicitly outlined in her contract.

LaBella was stunt performer for Ella Hunt in Horizon

According to the lawsuit, LaBella was “pinned down in a wagon” while a male actor was directed “to repeatedly perform a violent simulated rape,” in a scene that was “broadcast publicly on monitors for the entire crew to witness,” exposing her to the entire set without privacy or protection.

The legal filing accuses Costner and the production of sexual discrimination, harassment, and creating a hostile work environment. LaBella also claims she experienced retaliation after the incident, including being denied future work on the Horizon production. “On that day, I was left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism,” she said in a statement. “What happened to me shattered my trust and forever changed how I move through this industry.”

Costner wrote, directed and starred in Horizon – his legal rep representative has denied the claims

Costner, who also wrote and directed the film, has denied the allegations through his attorney, Marty Singer. The attorney said the claims are “absolutely without merit” and “completely contradicted by [LaBella’s] own actions — and the facts.”

Singer stated that LaBella was informed of the scene in advance, rehearsed it, and even gave the stunt coordinator a “thumbs up” to proceed. He also cited a text message allegedly sent by LaBella after filming wrapped: “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… Have a great rest of the shoot and yes talk soon!”

LaBella had served as the stunt double for Ella Hunt’s character Juliette, who is portrayed as experiencing sexual violence in the film. Hunt reportedly required that all scenes involving nudity or intimacy be supervised by an intimacy coordinator — a condition that, by union regulations, extends to stunt doubles. LaBella is a member of SAG-AFTRA, which mandates at least 48 hours’ notice and explicit consent for scenes involving simulated sexual acts.

The Yellowstone star debuted the first Horizon movie at Cannes last year

Previously, a scripted rape scene was filmed on the Horizon set under those conditions. LaBella contends that no such process was followed for the incident in question.

Costner, 69, premiered the first installment of Horizon — part of a planned four-part film series — at the Cannes Film Festival, where he received a 10-minute standing ovation. The film also stars Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Abbey Lee, and Jamie Campbell Bower. Meanwhile, the production is already facing a separate arbitration case involving an alleged breach of a co-financing agreement with New Line Cinema.