Kevin Costner Faces Lawsuit Over Unscripted Rape Scene in Horizon 2

Hollywood veteran Kevin Costner, known for iconic roles in films like Dances with Wolves and Yellowstone, is at the center of a legal storm. A stunt performer, Devyn LaBella, has filed a lawsuit against Costner and the production companies behind Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2, alleging she was subjected to an unscripted, violent rape scene without proper notice, consent, or safety protocols. The news, first reported by The Hollywood Reporter on May 27, 2025, has sparked widespread discussion about on-set safety and the role of intimacy coordinators in modern filmmaking. Here’s what you need to know about this unfolding controversy.

The Allegations

Devyn LaBella, a seasoned stunt performer and SAG-AFTRA member who doubled for actress Ella Hunt in Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2, claims the incident occurred on May 2, 2023, during filming in Utah. According to the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, LaBella was brought to the set expecting to perform non-intimate stunt work, such as scenes involving rifling through a dresser or handling props. Instead, she alleges that Costner, who directed and co-wrote the film, improvised a violent rape scene involving Hunt’s character, Juliette Chesney, without prior warning or rehearsal.

The complaint details a distressing sequence where LaBella was instructed to lie down in a wagon while actor Roger Ivens, playing a character named Birke, was directed to simulate non-consensual sex by pinning her down and violently rustling her skirt. The suit claims this scene violated SAG-AFTRA protocols, which mandate 48-hour notice and performer consent for scenes involving nudity or simulated sex. Additionally, no intimacy coordinator—a professional responsible for ensuring performer safety during sensitive scenes—was present, despite being contractually required for Hunt’s scenes, which extended to LaBella as her stunt double. The scene was allegedly broadcast on monitors visible to the entire crew, adding to LaBella’s reported humiliation.

LaBella further alleges that she faced retaliation after raising concerns about the incident. She claims she was not hired back for Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 3 or any subsequent projects with the film’s stunt coordinator, with whom she had previously worked. “On that day, I was left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism,” LaBella told The Hollywood Reporter. She has since sought therapy to cope with the trauma, stating, “What happened to me shattered my trust and forever changed how I move through this industry.”

Costner’s Response

Kevin Costner, through his attorney Marty Singer, has vehemently denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit a “shakedown” with “absolutely no merit.” Singer asserts that Costner prioritizes a safe and comfortable working environment on his sets. He claims the scene in question was a rehearsal, not a filmed sequence, and that LaBella was informed of its nature beforehand. According to Singer, LaBella gave a “thumbs up” to her stunt coordinator after the rehearsal, indicating her willingness to proceed if needed, though the scene was ultimately filmed with a different stand-in. Singer also cited a text message LaBella allegedly sent to the stunt coordinator after wrapping the shoot, which included cartwheel and heart-hand emojis and expressed gratitude for the opportunity, suggesting she was in “good spirits.”

Singer further labeled LaBella a “serial accuser” who has worked with the same legal team on prior claims, though no specifics about these past accusations were provided. “The facts are clear, and we are beyond confident that Kevin will prevail,” Singer concluded in a statement to PEOPLE.

The Bigger Picture

LaBella’s lawsuit, supported by the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund and attorneys from Hadsell Stormer Renick & Dai and Valli Kane & Vagnini, goes beyond seeking damages. It aims to highlight systemic issues in Hollywood, particularly the need for better protections during sexually explicit or violent scenes. “This case is a clear example of male-dominated, sexist Hollywood movie production,” said LaBella’s attorney Kate McFarlane. Her colleague James Vagnini added that the suit is “emblematic of what is still a very deep-rooted issue in Hollywood,” emphasizing the importance of intimacy coordinators—a role that gained prominence post-#MeToo to safeguard performers.

The controversy adds to existing challenges for the Horizon franchise, a passion project for Costner, who personally invested $38 million of the series’ $100 million budget. Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 underperformed at the box office in June 2024, grossing just $38.7 million globally, leading to the indefinite postponement of Chapter 2’s theatrical release. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September 2024 but has yet to secure a wide release date. Additionally, Costner’s production company faces a separate arbitration claim from New Line Cinema over a co-financing dispute.

Why This Matters

The allegations raise critical questions about power dynamics, performer safety, and accountability in the film industry. Intimacy coordinators, now a standard requirement for many productions, are designed to ensure clear communication and consent for sensitive scenes. LaBella’s claims suggest a lapse in these protocols, potentially undermining years of progress in making film sets safer and more equitable.

As the case heads to court, it could set a precedent for how Hollywood addresses such incidents. LaBella’s legal team is pushing for a jury to determine punitive damages, signaling their intent to hold Costner and the production companies accountable not just for her experience but for broader industry failures.

What’s Next?

With Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 still awaiting a release date, the lawsuit could further complicate the franchise’s future. If the case proceeds to trial, it may unfold before the film hits theaters or streaming platforms, potentially impacting its reception. For now, the industry and fans alike are watching closely as this legal battle unfolds, raising awareness about the importance of consent and safety on set.

What are your thoughts on this controversy? Should Hollywood do more to protect stunt performers and actors during sensitive scenes? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned to kishanbaraiya.com for more updates on this developing story.

Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, The Guardian, PEOPLE, Deadline