Kevin Costner Gets Candid About the ‘Drama’ of Working with Women
Kevin Costner Addresses Challenges of Gender Dynamics in Film Amid Lawsuit Controversy
Kevin Costner recently spoke candidly about the complexities of working with women in film, during a Q&A session at Fanatics Fest in New York City. His comments come at a sensitive time, as he faces legal scrutiny connected to an alleged incident on the set of his latest project.
Speaking with Good Morning America host Michael Strahan, Costner reflected on how romantic storylines influence the emotional core of his films—even in traditionally male-dominated genres like westerns and sports dramas.
“But movies for me, you just can’t have a movie without having a girl,” Costner said. “These movies—even in my westerns, like Horizon—they’re dominated by women. I think they make for the best stories. Even with professional athletes, their lives outside of the game are where the real drama happens.”
Costner’s comments came shortly after he was named in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by stunt double Devyn LaBella. The 28-year-old alleges she was subjected to a “violent, unscripted, and unscheduled rape scene” while working on Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2. LaBella, who was hired as a stunt double for lead actress Ella Hunt, claims she was never informed of the added scene and did not consent to participate in it. She further alleges the scene was absent from the call sheet and that Hunt refused to film it, leaving the production without an intimacy coordinator or proper safeguards.
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleges that Costner directed actor Roger Ivens to perform the controversial scene and asked LaBella to stand in, despite inadequate preparation and lack of professional oversight.
LaBella said the incident left her “exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism.” She claims to have suffered lasting trauma and has sought therapy for anxiety and sleep disorders. She also vowed to become an advocate for safer work environments in the film industry.
Her attorneys, James A. Vagnini and Kate McFarlane, described the case as “emblematic of a deeply rooted issue in Hollywood,” pointing to what they called “a clear example of male-dominated, sexist movie production.”
Costner’s attorney, Marty Singer, strongly denied the allegations, calling LaBella a “serial accuser” and accusing her of engaging in “shakedown tactics.” Singer stated that Costner “always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously.”
