A stunt performer has filed a lawsuit against Kevin Costner, alleging that she was subjected to unplanned rape scenes without appropriate notice, consent, or protocol during the filming of his movie, “Horizon: American Saga: Chapter 2”.
Devin Labella submitted the lawsuit at the Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, naming Costner, who serves as the director, star, and producer of the Western “Horizon” series, along with his production company, as defendants.
The lawsuit states, “The impact of this unexpected demand on Lavella is significant and not only threatens the career she has built over the years but leaves her with lasting trauma that she will need to confront for years to come.”
Costner’s legal team has stated that the lawsuit lacks merit, asserting that Labella’s allegations contradict both the facts and her own actions.
Labella, a 34-year-old former gymnast, has been consistently working as a stunt performer in Hollywood since 2020, with credits that include “Barbie” and “Yellow Jacket.”
According to Labella’s complaint, she served as a stunt double for one of the lead actors, Ella Hunt, during production, which included scenes of a scripted sexual assault filmed in May 2023. The lawsuit emphasizes that Lavella has undertaken significant work due to her dynamic and physical role, which involved meetings, rehearsals, and the presence of intimacy coordinators.
However, the following day, in an improvised scene devoid of warnings, rehearsals, or choreography, the lawsuit alleges that Costner instructed an actor to pin Lavella to a wagon to simulate rape. It is claimed that Costner encouraged aggressive behavior, did multiple takes, and did not clarify when the shot commenced or concluded.
“We couldn’t escape the situation. All Lavella could do was wait for the nightmare to conclude,” the lawsuit asserts.
It argues that safety measures were disregarded, violating both federal agreements and industry standards.
Costner’s attorney, Martin Singer, stated that while Costner strives to ensure that everyone feels comfortable on his set, Labella’s claims “are completely unfounded and inconsistent with her own actions and the facts.”
“The scene in question was thoroughly explained to Lavella, and after she rehearsed with another actor, she signaled her approval to the stunt coordinator. That evening, she dined with the supervisor and assistant stunt coordinator, appearing content and not expressing any grievances. She continued to work on the film for several weeks until its completion,” Singer noted in a statement. He also referenced a text message Labella sent to her coordinator at the end of production, expressing gratitude for the experience.
Singer characterized Labella as “a serial accuser within the entertainment industry,” asserting that her “shakedown tactics will not succeed in this case.”
The remainder of the filming “constantly reminded Lavella of the shame, humiliation, and lack of complete control she felt during the filming on May 2nd.”
The Associated Press typically does not disclose the names of individuals alleging sexual abuse unless they have come forward publicly, as Labella has done.
The lawsuit seeks damages to be determined by the court and requests that the defendants be ordered by a judge to undergo sexual harassment training, utilize an intimacy coordinator for future projects, and issue a public apology to Labella.
Costner has aimed to create an ambitious four-part saga, “The Western Epic Horizon: American Saga”, over the past 30 years. The first part was released in June 2024, with plans for a second installment soon following its poor box office performance.
Source: apnews.com