Hollywood legend Kevin Costner is pushing back against a serious lawsuit. A stunt double, Devyn LaBella, who worked on his upcoming film, Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2, has accused him of sexual harassment. Costner, who is 70, recently filed a request to throw out her case.
LaBella, 34, claimed she was forced into a "rape scene" that wasn’t planned or written into the script. She said Costner directed this scene. But Costner’s team says LaBella’s own words prove otherwise. Court papers show LaBella sent a text message after filming, suggesting she had a good experience, according to reports from entertainment news outlet TMZ on Tuesday, August 19.
The message LaBella sent to a supervisor read: "Thanks for these wonderful weeks! I appreciate it so much! I learned a lot and thanks again. I’m so glad everything turned out the way it did. Have a great rest of the shoot and yes, talk soon!" Costner’s lawyers, Marty Singer and T. Wayne Harman, pointed out that the message showed "no anger or resentment, only enthusiasm and gratitude."
Costner also gave his own detailed account of the day the alleged scene took place. He explained that LaBella, who was the stunt double for actress Ella Hunt (27), was in a covered wagon with actor Roger Ivens, 44. They were lying next to each other. LaBella wore an ankle-length dress with bike shorts underneath. Costner said Ivens lifted the hem of her dress and moved a leg over her body to position himself above her on all fours.
However, Costner stated there was no "nudity, rape, simulated sex or physical contact" between LaBella and Ivens. He noted the dress fabric might have moved up to LaBella’s knees but always stayed below her waist. The clothing under her dress remained untouched. The star, known for Dances with Wolves, called LaBella’s claims "absolutely false" and "deeply disappointing," as reported by TMZ.
LaBella’s initial lawsuit, filed in May, accused Costner of sexual discrimination and harassment. She claimed he created a "hostile work environment" on the Horizon sequel set two years ago, according to court documents obtained by Us Weekly. LaBella stated she was forced to film the scene after Ella Hunt, the actress she doubled for, refused. Hunt reportedly declined once she learned it involved Ivens "violently lifting her skirt."
LaBella shared her feelings in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. She said she felt "exposed, unprotected and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism." She added, "What happened to me shattered my trust and forever changed how I operate in this industry." Costner, through his lawyer, firmly denied these accusations.
Singer stated, "Kevin Costner always wants to ensure everyone feels comfortable working on his movies and takes on-set safety very seriously." He added that LaBella’s claim was "completely baseless and entirely contradicted by her own actions and the facts."
The legal battle continues. LaBella presented messages she claims she exchanged with the set’s intimacy coordinator after the scene. Court documents show the intimacy coordinator supposedly wrote an incident report about LaBella’s complaint. Costner’s lawyer replied, saying there was "no intimacy or anything sexual in the shot."
LaBella then accused Costner of trying to "silence her." In a powerful statement to Us, she said, "What happened to me on that set was a reckless violation — a violation of consent and basic workplace safety." She explained, "I was ordered to lie down and, without warning or rehearsal, another actor was brought in to simulate a rape on top of me. My underwear was exposed. I was then left alone, overwhelmed and in shock." She stressed, "Obeying under pressure is not consent. Consent cannot be given after the harm has already begun."
LaBella’s statement continued, "Once the line is crossed, there is no real other option. I spoke up immediately. And for that, I was met with silence, deflections, and efforts to discredit me. This case is not just about what happened to me. It is about a failed system that protects those in power and punishes those who speak up. It is about demanding change, not just for me, but for everyone who deserves to work safely and with dignity." She emphasized that she "spoke up" and "told the truth." LaBella concluded, "I will never apologize for demanding the bare minimum: to be treated as a human being at work."