Kevin Costner Responds to Lawsuit Alleging ‘Unscripted Rape Scene’
Kevin Costner Denies Lawsuit Claiming Forced ‘Unscripted Rape Scene’ on Set
Kevin Costner is pushing back against a lawsuit filed by stuntwoman Devyn LaBella, who alleges she was forced to perform a violent, unscripted rape scene without her consent during filming of Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2. Costner’s attorney, Marty Singer, strongly denied the accusations.
According to Singer, “Ms. LaBella was rehearsing an insert shot for a scripted scene. There was no intimacy or sexual content involved. The scene involved tugging on a dress while she was fully clothed.” He added that multiple witnesses contradict LaBella’s claims and highlighted a text she sent her supervisor after filming, thanking them for a great experience.
LaBella’s amended lawsuit, filed June 18, describes a May 2, 2023 incident, alleging the scene was filmed without stunt or intimacy coordinators present. She claims she was told to lie down, then unexpectedly faced a simulated rape by another actor, leaving her exposed and traumatized.
“My compliance under pressure was not consent,” LaBella said in a statement. “I spoke up immediately but was met with silence and efforts to discredit me. This case is about demanding workplace safety and respect.”
The lawsuit includes alleged text exchanges between LaBella and the film’s intimacy coordinator, where LaBella expressed distress over the lack of oversight and the nature of the scene. She questioned why a stunt double was performing non-stunt work and who would take responsibility for what she calls an abuse of power.
LaBella, who served as lead stunt double for actress Ella Hunt’s character Juliette Chesney, originally filed the suit in May, accusing Costner and his production companies of sexual harassment, discrimination, a hostile work environment, and retaliation.
Costner’s legal team emphasized that the claim is baseless and contradicted by facts. They noted LaBella had previously given a positive thumbs-up during rehearsals and sent a thankful message after filming wrapped. They expressed confidence the lawsuit will be resolved swiftly in Costner’s favor.
The film Horizon: An American Saga is a Western series co-written, directed, and produced by Costner, who also stars in it. The lawsuit requests compensatory and punitive damages and a jury trial.
