Kevin Costner Gets Candid About On-Set Tensions with Female Co-Stars
Kevin Costner Speaks on the Role of Women in Film Amid Controversy Over Horizon Lawsuit
Kevin Costner has spoken candidly about the importance of female roles in cinema during a recent public appearance, even as a lawsuit involving his latest film, Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2, draws public attention.
“You just can’t have a movie without a woman,” he said. “Even in my westerns like Horizon, women are the heart of the story. They add complexity and emotional depth. Whether it’s sports or frontier life, the most compelling drama often happens off the field or outside the action—and women are a big part of that.”
These comments come as Costner faces a lawsuit filed by stunt performer Devyn LaBella in Los Angeles County Superior Court. LaBella alleges that during the filming of Horizon in May 2023, she was asked to participate in a “violent, unscripted, and unscheduled rape scene” without prior notice, consent, or the presence of an intimacy coordinator.
LaBella, 28, was hired as a stunt double for lead actress Ella Hunt, who allegedly refused to take part in the scene and left the set. According to the lawsuit, the scene was not listed on the call sheet, and LaBella was not given time to prepare or receive proper safety briefings.
The complaint further claims that Costner, who directed the film, instructed actor Roger Ivens to perform the scene and asked LaBella to step in under pressure. She says the experience caused lasting psychological trauma and that she has since undergone therapy for anxiety and sleep disturbances.
Costner’s attorney, Marty Singer, has firmly denied the allegations, calling them “completely false” and labeling LaBella a “serial accuser” using “shakedown tactics.” He stated that Costner is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful work environment and noted that LaBella had previously agreed to perform an intimate scene, allegedly completing it “in good spirits.”
LaBella, known for her work on Barbie (2023) and American Horror Stories, has spoken out about the incident, stating: “That day, I felt exposed, unprotected, and betrayed by an industry that claims to uphold safety and professionalism.” She added that she plans to use her experience to push for stronger safeguards for performers.
Her attorneys, James A. Vagnini and Kate McFarlane, described the lawsuit as a reflection of the persistent gender and power imbalances in the film industry, calling it “a clear example of male-dominated, sexist Hollywood movie production.”
Meanwhile, Costner continues to promote Horizon, a multi-part western saga that he has described as one of the most ambitious projects of his career.
