Kevin Costner sued by stunt double over unscripted rape scene in ‘Horizon’

Kevin Costner is amongst these being sued by a stunt performer over an unscripted rape scene on the set of Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 in 2023.

As reported by Folks, Devyn LaBella, who was the stunt double for actor Ella Hunt within the second of Costner’s self-funded westerns, claims that she “was the sufferer of a violent, unscripted, unscheduled rape scene directed by Kevin Costner”.

LaBella was employed beneath a SAG (Display Actors Guild) settlement to face in for Hunt “throughout bodily scenes”. The contract doesn’t permit “any final minute requests for nudity or simulated intercourse”, with producers required to provide 48-hour discover and get the performer’s permission forward of capturing any such scenes, in addition to for an intimacy coordinator to at all times be current.

In her lawsuit – filed in Los Angeles yesterday (Could 27) – LaBella claims that she first stood in for Hunt in a scene depicting a sexual assault between her character Juliette and Sig, performed by Douglas Smith. She says she was advised about this scene upfront, and that it was filmed on Could 1 2023 with “no points”.

The scene in query was shot the subsequent day, Could 2 2023. LaBella alleges that she was on set for a “non-intimate scene”, however that Costner added one other, surprising rape scene, the place actor Roger Ivens was to, beneath Costner’s path, “climb on prime of Ms Hunt, violently raking up her skirt”.

LaBella claims that this scene was not on the decision sheet for the day, and that Hunt had walked off set (allegedly refusing to do the scene). Costner then requested her to “stand in” for Hunt, “with out correct discover, consent, preparation, or safeguard measures in place”.

The lawsuit states that LaBella by no means gave consent for this scene, and that it was an open set, that means “anybody” might stroll in and “observe the scene being carried out”. She additionally claims she didn’t know when the scene started or ended, as a result of Costner didn’t name “motion” or “lower”, and that no stunt or intimacy coordinators have been current.

In a press release to Folks, LaBella stated: “On that day, I used to be left uncovered, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised security and professionalism.

“What occurred to me shattered my belief and eternally modified how I transfer by this trade. As I proceed performing and step into my journey of stunt coordination, I function with a fierce dedication to upholding the very best requirements, creating units the place security, communication, and consent are non-negotiable. This expertise has ignited in me a lifelong mission to be the advocate I as soon as wanted, guaranteeing nobody else is ever left as susceptible as I used to be.”

The stunt performer’s legal professional, Kate McFarlane, said: “This case is a transparent instance of male-dominated, sexist Hollywood film manufacturing.

“Our consumer was subjected to brutal sexual conduct fully unprotected from the plain hurt. This occurred although there exists requirements of conduct and behavior particularly designed to guard individuals like Devyn LaBella,” McFarlane continued.

Costner’s legal professional, Marty Singer, has denied the claims, telling Folks that Costner “at all times needs to guarantee that everyone seems to be snug engaged on his movies and takes security on set very significantly.”

He known as LaBella a “serial accuser”, stated her claims have “completely no advantage”, and that she makes use of “shakedown ways”. He additionally claims “she accepted the scene in query after rehearsing with one other actor, by giving a “thumbs up”.

Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 was launched in June 2024 to blended critiques. Chapter 2 was initially scheduled to hit US cinemas in August 2024, however was faraway from its unique date because of the first movie performing poorly on the field workplace.