Kevin Costner Denies ‘Horizon’ Misconduct Allegations, Calls Lawsuit a “Blatant Lie” Meant to Tarnish His Reputation
Kevin Costner Denies Sexual Harassment Allegations, Calls Lawsuit a False and Harmful Attack
Kevin Costner has responded directly to a lawsuit filed by stunt performer Devyn LaBella, calling her sexual harassment claims “a bold-faced lie” and accusing her of launching a targeted attack designed to damage his reputation.
In a declaration filed on Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, Costner is seeking to have the case dismissed. His legal team, led by the firm Lavely & Singer, is requesting a hearing on September 18 under California’s anti-SLAPP statute, which is intended to protect against lawsuits that aim to suppress free speech through intimidation or legal pressure.
LaBella, a veteran stunt performer who describes herself as the lead double for actress Ella Hunt in Horizon II, initially filed her lawsuit on May 27, 2025. Her complaint alleges that on May 2, 2023, she was subjected to an unscripted and violent rape scene during filming, which she claims was directed by Costner himself. She alleges the incident occurred without proper consent, safety protocols, or the presence of an intimacy coordinator, in violation of SAG-AFTRA and industry standards.
LaBella also claims the traumatic experience derailed her career and caused long-term psychological harm. In addition to seeking damages, she is asking the court to mandate that intimacy coordinators be required on all of Costner’s future productions and that he undergo anti-harassment and anti-sexual violence training.
Supporting LaBella’s claims is intimacy coordinator Celeste Chaney, who worked on Horizon. In a statement included in LaBella’s amended complaint, Chaney confirmed that the scene in question was unplanned and violated standard safety practices. She also noted that LaBella, a trained stunt professional, was placed in a vulnerable position without proper protection or consent and that another actor had reportedly refused to participate in the scene.
Costner and his legal team have strongly rejected these allegations. In their latest court filings, they describe LaBella’s lawsuit as opportunistic and unfounded. Included in their motion is a text message from LaBella to a supervisor sent shortly after the alleged incident, which they argue contradicts her claims. They also cite testimony from multiple crew members and photographs taken during production as evidence against her account.
Costner’s personal declaration is firm in its denial.
“Devyn’s claims against me are absolutely false,” he states. “It is deeply disappointing that someone who worked on our production would accuse me or anyone on the team of such behavior. These allegations are so patently false that I can only conclude they were made to damage my reputation and the Horizon films in an attempt to secure a large and unjustified payout.”
He continues:
“Reading and responding to these false allegations involving the words ‘rape’ and ‘assault’ has been a personal nightmare. But the truth matters. No matter the cost, I will defend myself and my team against these unfounded claims.”
Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1, the first film in Costner’s ambitious Western series, premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival but underperformed at the box office, earning only $38.7 million globally. Horizon II debuted at the Venice Film Festival, but its planned August 2024 release was pulled, and the film has not yet been released. According to Costner, production on Horizon III has not yet begun.
