Washington DC [US], May 29: A stunt performer working on Horizon 2 has filed a lawsuit against actor-director Kevin Costner, accusing him of directing an unscripted and unauthorized rape scene without following industry safety protocols, as reported by Variety.
The plaintiff, Devyn LaBella, served as the lead stunt double for actress Ella Hunt, who portrays the character Juliette in the Horizon film franchise. According to LaBella’s legal filing, Costner allegedly improvised a rape scene involving Juliette, which Hunt reportedly refused to perform—prompting LaBella to step in as her double.
LaBella described the experience as deeply traumatic, stating, “On that day, I was left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism. What happened to me shattered my trust and forever changed how I move through this industry.”
The lawsuit claims the incident violated SAG-AFTRA safety protocols, particularly the rule requiring a 48-hour notice before any intimate scenes are performed. The alleged incident occurred on May 2, 2023, on a set in Utah.
Attorney Kate McFarlane, representing LaBella, called the case a stark example of systemic misogyny in the entertainment industry. “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,” she stated.
Costner’s legal team has firmly denied the allegations. His attorney Marty Singer asserted that the scene was discussed and rehearsed, and that LaBella indicated her consent by giving a “thumbs up” to her stunt coordinator. He further added that LaBella joined the stunt team for dinner afterward and appeared to be in “good spirits,” raising no concerns at the time.
Singer also referenced a text message allegedly sent by LaBella 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. Have a great rest of the shoot and yes, talk soon!”
Despite the cordial message, the lawsuit alleges that LaBella required therapy to deal with the emotional fallout from the scene. She also claims she was not rehired for Horizon 3 or any subsequent projects with the stunt coordinator, despite previous regular work.
The case underscores ongoing concerns about safety, consent, and power dynamics in the film industry—especially involving vulnerable professionals like stunt performers and body doubles.