Kevin Costner has been entangled in legal drama after being sued by a stuntwoman from the Horizon sequel.
Devyn LaBella joined the Horizon sequel as the lead stunt double for Ella Hunt, who played Juliette. In May 2025, LaBella accused Costner of sexual discrimination, harassment and creating a “hostile work environment” while on set of Horizon An American Saga — Chapter 2 two years ago, according to a lawsuit obtained by Us Weekly.
LaBella claimed that she was “the victim of a violent unscripted, unscheduled rape scene directed by Kevin Costner.”
“On that day, I was left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism,” LaBella alleged in a statement per The Hollywood Reporter. “What happened to me shattered my trust and forever changed how I move through this industry.”
Costner vehemently denied the allegations via a statement made by his lawyer, Marty Singer.
“Kevin Costner always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously,” the statement read. “However, this claim by Devyn LaBella has absolutely no merit, and it is completely contradicted by her own actions — and the facts.”
Keep scrolling for a full break down on Costner and LaBella’s legal back and forth:
Kevin Costner Gets Sued
Two years after working together on the second installment of the Horizon franchise, LaBella filed a lawsuit against Costner, who was the film’s director and leading man. LaBella claimed that she had to film an “unscripted” and “unscheduled” rape scene that was directed by Costner.
According to the docs, Hunt refused to shoot the scene after she learned it would involve actor Roger Ivens “violently raking up her skirt.” Costner allegedly asked LaBella to stand in for Hunt. After completing the scene, LaBella claimed that she “experienced shock, embarrassment and humiliation while attempting to process the situation.”
LaBella also alleged that she “was not hired back to continue her role or at all as a stunt double for Horizon 3” in 2024 after making a complaint about the incident.
Kevin Costner Denies the Allegations
Kevin Costner Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images for Santa Barbara International Film Festiva
After news broke of LaBella’s lawsuit, Costner denied the stunt performer’s allegations via a statement made by his attorney. Singer also included a set of screenshotted text messages that were allegedly sent by LaBella following a dinner attended by “LaBella … her supervisor, the stunt coordinator, and with the assistant stunt coordinator.”
“[LaBella] was in good spirits and made no complaints to them. She continued to work on the movie for a few more weeks until her wrap date,” the statement read. “And she took the stunt coordinator to a thank-you dinner. She also sent him a cordial thank you text illustrated with happy heart emojis (copy attached.)”
Devyn LaBella Amends Her Lawsuit
One month after filing her initial legal paperwork, Us confirmed that LaBella resubmitted the lawsuit that included text messages she allegedly exchanged with the film’s intimacy coordinator the day after the alleged incident.
“I wanted to discuss yesterdays [sic] abomination when we both have a chance,” LaBella wrote per the filing. “I was put in a really wrong position and it’s really affected me.”
The intimacy coordinator replied to LaBella’s message apologetically and offered to “talk through it” with her.
“Why was there no intimacy coordinator?” LaBella claimed. “Why was a stunt double doing this non stunt work — especially given the sensitivity of it? … Who is gonna take responsibility for the abuse of power?”
The court docs claimed that the intimacy coordinator wrote an alleged incident report of LaBella’s complaint.
“This was not a formal or uniform process. Ideally, apologies would be issued by [Costner], the 1st AD, and others involved to both Ella and Devyn,” the report read. “Ella requested that the intimacy coordinator be brought back to provide support the following week. Production obliged. Devyn requested that production pay for her flight home that weekend so she could receive support from family and friends. Production obliged.”
Kevin Costner Responds to New Evidence
After LaBella submitted her amended lawsuit, Costner denied her new claims.
“[LaBella] was doing a rehearsal on an Insert Shot for a scripted scene. There was no intimacy or anything sexual in the shot,” Costner’s lawyer said in a statement to TMZ. “There was tugging on a dress while she was fully clothed in a dress with long bloomers lying down next to a male actor.”
The statement continued: “Numerous witnesses have contradicted [LaBella’s] meritless claims. She herself texted her supervisor after she wrapped, stating, ‘Thank you for these wonderful weeks.’”
Devyn LaBella Fires Back at Kevin Costner
Devyn LaBella Robin L Marshall/Getty Images
After Costner broke his silence on the new allegations, LaBella accused the actor of trying to “silence” and “discredit” her.
“What happened to me on that set was a reckless violation — a breach of consent and of basic workplace safety,” LaBella claimed in a statement to Us. “I was told to lie down, and without warning or rehearsal, another actor was brought in to simulate a rape on top of me,” she alleged. “My undergarments were exposed. I was left alone afterward, overwhelmed and in shock. Compliance under pressure is not consent. Consent cannot be given after the harm has already begun.”
The statement continued: “Once the line is crossed, there is no real choice left to make. I spoke up immediately. And for that, I was met with silence, deflection, and efforts to discredit me. This case is not just about what happened to me. It’s about a broken system that protects those in power and punishes those who speak out. It’s about demanding change, not just for me but for everyone who deserves to work in safety and dignity.”
LaBella stood by her claims, sharing that she “stood up” and “told the truth.”
“I will never apologize for demanding the bare minimum — to be treated like a human being at work,” she concluded.
Kevin Costner Files to Dismiss Lawsuit
Costner filed to dismiss LaBella’s lawsuit in August 2025, citing a text message the stunt performer allegedly sent to a supervisor from Horizon 2 after filming ended, in which she indicated that she had a positive experience on set.
“Thank you for these wonderful weeks! I so appreciate you! I learned so much and thank you again. I’m really happy it worked out the way it did too. Have a great rest of the shoot and yes talk soon!” the alleged text read, according to court docs obtained by TMZ.
Costner’s lawyers Marty Singer and T. Wayne Harman noted, “There was no anger or resentment, only enthusiasm and gratitude.”
Costner also filed a declaration in which he detailed his version of events on the day of the alleged rape scene. He claimed that LaBella and Ivens were shooting together in an uncovered wagon, with LaBella “fully clothed in an ankle-length dress with bike shorts underneath.” At one point, Ivens raised the hem of LaBella’s dress and swung his leg over LaBella so that he could hover above her on all fours. However, according to Costner, there was no “nudity, rape, simulated sex or physical contact” between the stuntwoman and actor.
While Costner said LaBella’s dress may have moved up to her knees during the scene, he claimed it was always below her waist, and the clothing underneath the dress allegedly remained undisturbed.
Costner called LaBella’s accusations “absolutely false” and “deeply disappointing,” the docs noted.
