Kevin Costner Lawsuit: Stuntwoman's Allegations Raise Urgent On-Set Safety Concerns in Hollywood

A lawsuit filed against Kevin Costner by stuntwoman Devyn LaBella is igniting urgent conversations about stunt performer safety and on-set consent in Hollywood. The case raises broader questions about power dynamics and accountability in the film industry.

According to the New York Post, LaBella alleges she was forced to perform an unscripted, violent rape scene without her consent while working as a stunt double for actress Ella Hunt on Costner's £79 million ($100 million) Western epic Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter Two.

In an amended complaint filed on 18 June, LaBella included screenshots of text messages with the production's intimacy coordinator and detailed descriptions of the emotional distress she says she experienced.

She claims she was told to lie down on set, where a male actor then simulated a violent assault, exposing her undergarments. According to LaBella, the scene was improvised by Costner and was not included in the original script or rehearsals.

'What happened to me on that set was a reckless violation, a breach of consent and of basic workplace safety,' LaBella said in her statement. 'Compliance under pressure is not consent.'

Meet Devyn LaBella

Devyn LaBella is a well-known stuntwoman, producer and actress who began her career as a child actor. She appeared in Friends Season 5, Episode 17, and later doubled for Rubberwoman in American Horror Stories. Her other credits include stunts in Barbie, Yellowjackets, LA's Finest and The Rookie.

Although she has a modest social media following — 16,000 on Instagram, 1,000 on Facebook and 13,000 on TikTok — LaBella is respected in the film industry for her dedication and skills.

What LaBella Claims Happened

According to her lawsuit, LaBella was working as the lead stunt double for Ella Hunt, who plays Juliette in the Horizon franchise. LaBella alleges Hunt refused to perform an impromptu rape scene that Costner had allegedly introduced. Unaware that Hunt had left the set after rejecting the scene, LaBella says she was asked to step in without prior notice or proper preparation.

She claims she was not informed that a male actor would be involved or that the scene would involve violent simulated assault. LaBella says Costner directed her to lie down in a wagon before the male actor forcibly pinned her down and violently hiked up her skirt. She described the experience as humiliating and deeply traumatic.

Furthermore, she alleges that Costner experimented with different takes, prolonging her distress. LaBella asserts these actions violated protocols negotiated by SAG-AFTRA, which require a 48-hour notice for scenes involving nudity or simulated sex and explicit performer consent.

'What happened to me shattered my trust and forever changed how I move through this industry,' LaBella said.

Costner's Denial

Kevin Costner's attorney, Marty Singer, has strongly denied the allegations, calling them 'completely fabricated' and insisting there was 'no intimacy or anything sexual' in the scene. Singer told Fox News that LaBella was informed beforehand and had even given a thumbs up to indicate her consent.

He added that LaBella later thanked the stunt coordinator in a text message for the 'wonderful week', which he claims contradicts her legal claims. Singer described LaBella as a 'serial accuser' and accused her of fabricating her story for financial gain.

Industry Questions and Impact

LaBella's legal team argues that her case highlights a deeper problem: the lack of protection for stunt performers, who often face high-risk situations with minimal support. Her lawyers claim she reported the incident immediately but was met with silence and attempts to discredit her, calling this response 'character assassination'.

'This case is not just about what happened to me,' LaBella said. 'It is about a broken system that protects those in power and punishes those who speak out. It is about demanding change for everyone who deserves to work in safety and dignity.'

Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter Two was originally scheduled for release in August 2024 but has been delayed to 2025 after the first film struggled at the box office.

As the case unfolds, it is expected to intensify calls for stricter on-set safety standards and reinforce the urgent need to protect performers from last-minute changes and abuse of power. Costner, through his lawyer, has stated he looks forward to 'the swift end of this specious lawsuit' and maintains that the facts will exonerate him.