Kevin Costner Responds Following Stuntwoman’s New Court Evidence in Rape Scene Dispute
Kevin Costner’s attorney fired back after stuntwoman Devyn LaBella, who is suing the actor over an alleged unscripted rape scene in his recent film, submitted new evidence in court. Marty Singer, Costner’s lead lawyer, stated, “LaBella was performing a rehearsal for an Insert Shot in a scripted scene. There was no intimacy or sexual content involved. The scene showed her tugging on a dress while fully clothed in a dress and bloomers, lying down next to a male actor.”
Singer also pointed out, “Multiple witnesses have contradicted LaBella’s baseless claims. In fact, she texted her supervisor after wrapping up, saying, ‘Thank you for these wonderful weeks.’”
LaBella filed the lawsuit in May against Costner, 70, and Territory Pictures regarding her experience on the set of the western film Horizon, which Costner directed. Filmed in Utah, LaBella said she had no issues during the initial weeks but alleges a “violent, unscripted, unscheduled rape scene” took place on May 2, 2023.
According to LaBella, the original scene involved actress Ella Hunt and actor Roger Ivens. Hunt reportedly refused to film the scene after learning it involved her skirt being “violently” pulled up by Ivens. Costner, who was on set, allegedly added this scene, which differed from the version shot the previous day, which did not include the skirt-pulling.
After Hunt left the set, LaBella claims she was asked to step in, unaware of Hunt’s departure at the time. Hunt’s lawyer argued, “[LaBella] was not a stand-in and what Costner asked her to do was outside her stunt double role. LaBella agreed to help, unaware of the true nature of the shot.”
LaBella also alleged the film’s intimacy coordinator was absent during the filming of the scene. She described being shocked when Ivens mounted her and violently pulled up her skirt while miming unbuttoning his pants and pinning her down. The lawsuit claims Ivens forcibly pinned her legs open with his knee under Costner’s direction.
Following the incident, LaBella said she reported her concerns to the intimacy coordinator and believes this led to her not being asked back for Horizon 3. She included texts to the coordinator in her amended lawsuit, one reading, “Why was a stunt double doing this non-stunt work — especially given the sensitivity of it?”
LaBella accused the production of abusing their power. The coordinator filed a report, stating, “This was not a formal or uniform process. Ideally, apologies should be made by Costner, the 1st AD, and others to both Ella and Devyn. Ella requested the coordinator’s return the following week for support, which production arranged. Devyn asked for her flight home to be covered for family support, which production also agreed to.”
Costner’s lawyer has dismissed the claims as “without merit,” insisting Costner prioritizes the comfort and safety of everyone on his sets. He added that LaBella’s own actions “directly contradict” her allegations.
