Hollywood actor and director Kevin Costner is facing a lawsuit from stunt double Devyn LaBella over what she claims was an unscripted and violent rape scene in the film series "Horizon 2." LaBella filed the civil lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court, naming multiple defendants, including Costner and associated production companies. The legal battle has centered on LaBella's allegations surrounding a specific scene she was compelled to perform without adequate warning or consent, a scene that she alleges deviated from the script and violated industry standards, as reported by ABC7 and other outlets.
The stunt performer's experience on the set of "Horizon 2" has led to her filing a suit with causes of action that include sexual discrimination and harassment, among others. According to NBC News, LaBella asserts she was not informed about the scene's sexual nature until the actor Roger Ivens was already atop her, and the inclusion of this scene was not consistent with the one shot the previous day, where protocols were followed. The lawsuit further alleges that there wasn't an intimacy coordinator on set and that the scene was broadcast on monitors for all on set to see, adding to her humiliation.
In the aftermath of the incident, LaBella claims she experienced significant trauma, with symptoms including sleep disturbance and anxiety. After voicing her complaints about the on-set sexual harassment, she also alleges she was not rehired for the subsequent film "Horizon 3" or any other projects by her stunt coordinator. As a part of the lawsuit, she is seeking unspecified damages, mandatory anti-sexual harassment training for the defendants, and a public apology. On the flipside, Costner's attorney, Marty Singer, has rejected these claims. Singer told AP News, "The scene in question was explained to Ms. LaBella, and after she performed the rehearsal in character with another actor, she gave her Stunt Coordinator supervisor a 'thumbs up' and indicated her willingness to then shoot the scene."
Meanwhile, the court of public opinion is likely to continue to weigh the gravity of these claims against the backdrop of Hollywood's ongoing enlightenment about intimate scenes' handling. This case poignantly underscores the necessity of robust safety protocols, and the need for clear and informed consent for performers in potentially harmful scenarios. Costner's attorney has also accused LaBella of being a "serial accuser" and has countered with evidence of LaBella appearing in good spirits post-production.
