Devyn LaBella filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday alleging that the Oscar-winner, 70, directed unplanned assault scene that was not included in the schedule
Hollywood star Kevin Costner has been forced to deny allegations of sexual harassment after being named in a lawsuit filed by a stuntwoman.
Devyn LaBella, who served as a stunt double for lead actress Ella Hunt in Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2, claims she was subjected to an unscripted and violent rape scene during the filming.
She filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, alleging that the Oscar-winner, 70, directed a second, unplanned assault scene that was not included in the schedule.
The initial scene was filmed on May 1, 2023, and after multiple takes, “wrapped” with “no issues,” according to the lawsuit.
In her filing, Labella alleged that the next day, May 2, 2023, she was on set for a “non-intimate scene” as Hunt’s stunt double.
However, Costner, who was also on set, allegedly added a part where a second actor, Roger Ivens, was supposed to, under Costner’s direction, “climb on top of Ms Hunt, violently raking up her skirt.”
LaBella alleged that the scene was not listed on the call sheet for that day. Ivens is not named as a defendant.
She alleges that the shoot took place on an open set without the presence or knowledge of the film’s stunt or intimacy coordinators, and that Costner failed to call out standard cues such as “action” or “cut.”
LaBella also claims she was unaware Hunt had refused to do the scene and left the set, leaving her to perform without informed consent.
“What happened to me shattered my trust and forever changed how I move through this industry,” LaBella said in a statement. “On that day, I was left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism.”
The lawsuit, which also names the film’s production companies, seeks damages and a jury trial. LaBella alleges the incident caused long-lasting emotional trauma, leading her to seek therapy for anxiety, sleep disturbance, and fear of intimacy.
She claims the experience has jeopardised her career and left her isolated on set in the weeks that followed.
Her legal team says the case underscores Hollywood’s failure to protect performers, particularly women, from unsafe and exploitative conditions.
“This case is a clear example of male-dominated, sexist Hollywood movie production,” attorney Kate McFarlane said.
“Our client was subjected to brutal sexual conduct, completely unprotected from the obvious harm.”
Costner’s attorney Marty Singer vehemently denied the allegations, describing LaBella as a “serial accuser” and the claims as “completely contradicted by her own actions and the facts.”
The attorney said LaBella had rehearsed the scene in question, gave her stunt coordinator a “thumbs up,” and later texted him with emojis expressing gratitude.
“She was in good spirits the evening of the scene, even sending her coordinator a message with a cartwheel and heart-hand emoji,” Singer said. “The facts are clear, and we are beyond confident that Kevin will prevail.”
Singer, who also represents the production companies named in the lawsuit, described the case as a “shakedown attempt” and maintained that Costner is committed to ensuring a safe environment on set.
Spokespeople for Hunt and Ivens did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
