Stunt performer Devyn LaBella has filed a lawsuit against actor and director Kevin Costner, claiming she was compelled to take part in an unplanned rape scene during the production of Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2, without prior notice or necessary safety measures.

LaBella, who worked as the primary stunt double for actress Ella Hunt (portraying the character Juliette in Costner’s independently financed western series), alleges that in 2023, Costner spontaneously added a rape scene to the script. Hunt declined to participate in the unscripted scene, prompting producers to bring in LaBella as a stand-in.

According to the lawsuit, LaBella was neither forewarned about the scene nor allowed to prepare. There was also no intimacy coordinator present—a requirement for scenes involving sexual content—violating established safety protocols. The set was allegedly open, meaning other crew members could freely observe the filming, further compounding the distress.

LaBella maintains that she never consented to the scene and describes the incident as both humiliating and traumatic. “That day, I was left vulnerable, unprotected, and betrayed by an industry that claims to prioritize safety and professionalism,” she said in a statement. “What happened shattered my trust and permanently changed the way I see this business.”

Her legal team argues that the production violated rules negotiated by SAG-AFTRA, which mandate at least 48 hours’ notice and informed consent for scenes that include nudity or simulated sex. Attorney Kate McFarlane, representing LaBella, said the incident highlights a broader problem in the film industry. “This is a textbook example of sexist, male-dominated Hollywood filmmaking,” she said. “Our client was subjected to degrading sexual conduct with no safeguards in place.”

Kevin Costner, through his lawyer Marty Singer, has strongly denied the accusations. In a statement, Singer insisted that Costner prioritizes safety and comfort on his sets and dismissed the lawsuit as baseless. “Devyn LaBella’s claim has no merit whatsoever,” he said. “It contradicts her behaviour and the facts of the situation.”

Singer also accused LaBella of being a “serial accuser” who engages in “shakedown tactics.” He asserted that LaBella had approved the scene after rehearsing it with another actor and even signalled her agreement with a “thumbs up.”

The first instalment of Horizon: An American Saga was released in June 2024 to lukewarm critical reception and underwhelming box office results. As a result, the second chapter—initially scheduled for release in August 2024—has been pulled from the release calendar.

Horizon: An American Saga Part 2 - Final Trailer