Kevin Costner Lawsuit: Legal Battle Erupts Over ‘Horizon 2’ Filming
Actor and director Kevin Costner is embroiled in a legal dispute stemming from the set of his ambitious Western film series, “Horizon: An American Saga.” A stunt performer, Devyn LaBella, has filed a lawsuit alleging she was subjected to a violent, unscripted incident during filming for the second chapter, leading to claims of sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
However, Costner’s legal team, led by prominent attorney Marty Singer, is vehemently denying the allegations, calling them baseless and contradicted by facts and witnesses.
Stunt Performer’s Disturbing Allegations
Devyn LaBella, who served as a stunt double for actress Ella Hunt on “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter Two,” initiated the lawsuit in May 2025, later amending it to include new evidence. According to LaBella’s complaint, the alleged incident occurred on May 2, 2023. She claims she was unexpectedly involved in a “violent unscripted, unscheduled rape scene” that she alleges was directed by Costner himself.
LaBella’s lawsuit provides graphic details of the alleged scene. She contends that Costner gave instructions to actor Roger Ivens, who then allegedly “violently rustled” her skirt up “as if trying to penetrate her against her will” and “forcibly pinn[ed]” her down using his body and arms.
Crucially, LaBella alleges that this specific scene was an unplanned addition and happened the day after a previously scripted rape scene had been filmed with safety protocols, including an intimacy coordinator, in place. She claims actress Ella Hunt had reportedly refused to perform this newly added, abrupt scene due to its violent nature and lack of an intimacy coordinator and walked off set. LaBella alleges she was then asked to stand in, unaware of Hunt’s departure or the true nature of the scene she was about to perform.
She claims she was not warned or prepared for Ivens to mount her or engage in such violent actions, only learning what was expected as it occurred. She felt there was “no escaping” the situation. Adding to her discomfort, LaBella alleges that between takes, Ivens’ hand rested on top of her bundled-up skirt, positioned above her vagina, and that her personal undergarments were exposed, which was particularly humiliating as she was menstruating.
The lawsuit asserts that the set should have been closed for such a sensitive scene and that SAG-AFTRA guidelines requiring prior written consent for simulated sex acts were ignored. LaBella claims the alleged incident caused her significant distress, leading to “shock, embarrassment and humiliation,” and resulting in “permanent trauma” for which she has sought therapy. She also alleges she was not rehired for “Horizon 3” following the incident, though her IMDb page lists subsequent stunt credits.
Alleged Text Messages Submitted as Evidence
As part of her amended lawsuit, LaBella included alleged text messages she sent to the film’s intimacy coordinator, Celeste Cheney, the day after the claimed incident. In these texts, LaBella reportedly referred to the scene as “yesterdays abomination” and stated she was put in a “really wrong position” that “really affected” her. Cheney allegedly responded sympathetically.
LaBella’s texts also reportedly posed pointed questions about the alleged lack of safety protocols, asking why no intimacy coordinator was present, why a stunt double was assigned such sensitive work without preparation, why it wasn’t a closed set, how a shot evolved into a “rape sequence,” and why a man from the camera department was allegedly directing the unscripted action. She concluded by questioning who would take responsibility for the alleged “abuse of power, negligence and ignorance on set.”
LaBella claims she later spoke with the film’s line producer and another individual and received an apology. She was allegedly told that Costner had a lengthy conversation with Ella Hunt following the incident, reportedly indicating Costner needed to be “brought up to the current times” regarding on-set practices.
Kevin Costner’s Lawyer Fires Back
Kevin Costner’s attorney, Marty Singer, has issued strong denials regarding Devyn LaBella’s lawsuit and claims. Speaking to TMZ and The Post, Singer vehemently disputes LaBella’s account of the events on the “Horizon 2” set.
Singer contends that LaBella was participating in “a rehearsal on an Insert Shot for a scripted scene.” He asserted that there was “no intimacy or anything sexual in the shot,” describing the action simply as “tugging on a dress while she was fully clothed in a dress with long bloomers lying down next to a male actor.”
Costner’s legal team maintains that LaBella’s claims are “meritless” and are contradicted by multiple sources. Singer stated that “Numerous witnesses have contradicted Ms. LaBella’s meritless claims.” He also pointed to a text message LaBella allegedly sent to a supervisor after wrapping her work on the production, which reportedly stated, “Thank you for these wonderful weeks,” suggesting her demeanor was positive at the time.
Singer has gone further, calling the lawsuit a “shakedown” and labeling LaBella a “serial accuser of people in the entertainment industry” who uses “shakedown tactics.” He stressed that Kevin Costner prioritizes comfort and safety on his film sets. Singer also claimed that LaBella was aware of the scene, gave a “thumbs up” after rehearsing in character, and indicated willingness to shoot it if needed, though she was ultimately not required for the final shot.
The Core Dispute
At the heart of the legal battle is a starkly different interpretation of the May 2, 2023 events on the “Horizon 2” set. LaBella alleges it was an unplanned, violent, simulated sexual assault directed by Costner without her consent or appropriate safety measures after the actress she doubled for refused the scene. Costner’s lawyer counters that it was merely a non-sexual rehearsal for a scripted shot, fully clothed, and that LaBella’s claims are false and contradicted by evidence, including her own post-wrap communications.
The lawsuit is ongoing as Costner’s legal team anticipates a swift resolution.
