“The Scandal Behind ‘Horizon’: Kevin Costner, a Lawsuit, Denials, and Box Office Disaster”

A $100M Flop, a Bitter Divorce, and a Lawsuit That Won’t Go Away

Kevin Costner has poured years—and tens of millions of dollars—into Horizon: An American Saga, an ambitious Western epic meant to depict the lives of settlers, Native Americans, and especially frontier women in the post-Civil War American West. But what was once a passion project has now become entangled in controversy, legal battles, and a box office disaster.

In May 2025, stuntwoman Devyn LaBella filed a lawsuit against Costner and the Horizon production team, alleging she was subjected to a “violent, unscripted, unscheduled rape scene” while doubling for actress Ella Hunt during the filming of Horizon II. According to LaBella, the incident left her traumatized and occurred without adequate safety measures or modesty protections in place.

Costner Responds

Costner and his legal team swiftly denied the allegations, calling them “false and sensational.” In court filings, they insist the disputed moment was not a filmed rape scene but rather a rehearsal—or “blocking”—for a sequence in which any on-screen sexual violence occurs off-camera.

To support their defense, Costner’s team submitted photos, text messages, and witness testimony. They claim LaBella appeared composed during the shoot and even expressed gratitude afterward for being part of the production.

What Each Side Claims

LaBella’s Allegations:

• She says Costner unexpectedly directed a scene in which a male actor lifted her skirt and straddled her without prior notice.
• She provided text messages with intimacy coordinator Celeste Chaney, who referred to the scene as a “violent rape scene” and criticized the lack of warning and absence of modesty garments.

Costner’s Defense:

• He maintains the scene was not filmed, only rehearsed.
• He claims LaBella showed no visible distress at the time.
• His legal team submitted supportive statements from crew members, including stunt coordinator Wade Allen and actor Roger Ivens, who both denied witnessing anything inappropriate or out of line with industry norms.

Context: Divorce and a Box Office Disaster

The lawsuit came just as Costner was served divorce papers by his wife, Christine Baumgartner, adding personal turmoil to an already volatile period. Meanwhile, the Horizon films have struggled commercially. Horizon I brought in only $38.7 million worldwide—against a reported production budget exceeding $100 million. The poor performance has delayed the release of the sequel.

Costner’s legal team has filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that LaBella’s account lacks credibility and misrepresents what actually occurred on set. LaBella’s attorneys argue that dismissing her claims based on her outward behavior or emotional timing undermines the complexities many survivors face.

What’s Next?

With mounting court filings, witness accounts, and disputed text messages, the legal battle surrounding Horizon is still unfolding. The outcome could have lasting consequences—not just for Costner’s reputation, but for the future of his decades-in-the-making Western saga.