The controversy surrounding Horizon has intensified as Kevin Costner was sued over an unscripted scene that allegedly took place on set, with stunt performer Devyn LaBella presenting new evidence in court. The lawsuit was amended on June 18 by LaBella, who claims that both Kevin Costner and Territory Pictures were involved in a distressing incident during filming in Utah on May 2, 2023.
New Messages Presented as Evidence
Devyn LaBella expanded her initial lawsuit with purported text exchanges between herself and the film’s intimacy coordinator. She referenced the uncomfortable scene the next day, indicating significant distress resulting from the experience. In her message, LaBella wrote,
“I wanted to discuss yesterdays [sic] abomination when we both have a chance,”
and added,
“I was put in a really wrong position and it’s really affected me.”
—Devyn LaBella, Stunt Performer. The coordinator replied to her, expressing regret for what had taken place:
“Oh no, I’m so sorry to hear this Devyn.”
—Intimacy Coordinator.
In subsequent communication, LaBella questioned the absence of appropriate supervision, asking,
“Why was there no intimacy coordinator?”
and further challenged the decision-making on set:
“Why was a stunt double doing this non stunt work — especially given the sensitivity of it?”
and
“Who is gonna take responsibility for the abuse of power …”
—Devyn LaBella, Stunt Performer.
Intimacy Coordinator’s Incident Report and Production Response
The intimacy coordinator reportedly documented LaBella’s complaint in an incident report. As the coordinator described the situation, apologies were issued following the event:
“apologies were made to Ella [Hunt] and Devyn by various parties involved.”
—Intimacy Coordinator. Ella Hunt, for whom LaBella was acting as a double, also received support from production after requesting the intimacy coordinator’s return. Another statement from the report detailed broader issues with the management of the situation:
“This was not a formal or uniform process. Ideally, apologies would be issued by [Costner], the 1st AD, and others involved to both Ella and Devyn. Ella [Hunt] requested that the intimacy coordinator be brought back to provide support the following week. Production obliged. Devyn requested that production pay for her flight home that weekend so she could receive support from family and friends. Production obliged.”
—Intimacy Coordinator.
Details of the Alleged Unscripted Scene
According to LaBella’s lawsuit, she was employed to double for a scripted, intense scene involving Hunt and Douglas Smith. That original scene, shot on a closed set with proper coordination, reportedly occurred without issue. The confusion emerged during a different scene the next day, which allegedly was not scripted or scheduled.
On May 2, LaBella claims she arrived on set, initially unaware of significant changes to the performance. She stated that Hunt refused participation after learning the new scene would have Roger Ivens lift her skirt aggressively. The lawsuit alleges that,
“Costner, who was present on the set, specifically added this scene, which varied from the scene filmed the day before which had not involved pulling up the actor’s skirt.”
—Court Filing.
The complaint further reveals that after Hunt left the set, Costner approached LaBella to act as her stand-in. The suit highlights this was not within her professional duties:
“[LaBella] was not a stand-in performer, and what [Costner] requested of her was not within the scope of her role as a stunt double. Nevertheless, and in complete ignorance of the nature of the actual ‘shot’ [Costner] had planned for her, [LaBella] agreed to help out with what she thought would be a quick stand-in shot.”
—Court Filing.
Stunt Double’s Account of On-Set Actions
LaBella reported that nobody communicated or informed her about what Roger Ivens would do during the unscripted scene. She alleged that the actions occurred without her prior warning:
“to perform or engage in any action on top of her and first learned that Ivens would mount her and violently pull her skirt up when he was already on top of her doing so.”
—Court Filing.
The intimacy coordinator was reportedly missing from the set during these actions. The legal documents describe the severity of the staging:
“As directed by Costner, this unscripted, unrehearsed scene consisted of [Ivens] mounting [LaBella] while miming the unbuttoning of his pants, and using his body and arms to forcibly pin down [ LaBella], who was on her back underneath him. [Ivens] violently rustled [LaBella’s] skirt up as if trying to penetrate her against her will and he was directed to pin her legs open with his knee,”
according to the suit.
Aftermath and Career Consequences for LaBella
Following the episode, LaBella noted that the workplace environment shifted noticeably. She claimed she finished her role on the film but was not invited to return for Horizon 3, which commenced in early 2024. LaBella further stated that, after she raised concerns about the set incident, a long-time industry friend and colleague “cut contact” with her
“in retaliation of her complaints of sexual harassment on the set”
and has since excluded her from professional opportunities.
The legal complaint also alleges efforts by Costner’s team to damage her reputation, stating they made public remarks to undermine her credibility:
“aimed at further destroying her opportunities for work by branding [her] a ‘serial accuser’ and someone looking for a ‘money grab’ because she supposedly ‘never complained or was bothered by the events of what took place on May 2, 2023.’”
—Court Filing. Her legal counsel added another perspective, noting,
“In reality, in nearly a decade of stunt-performing work, [LaBella] has never before lodged a claim against any employer.”
—LaBella’s Lawyer.
Kevin Costner and Legal Team’s Response
Kevin Costner’s attorney, Marty Singer, refuted the allegations, categorically denying their legitimacy. He stressed Costner’s commitment to safe working environments:
“Kevin Costner always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously,”
Singer said. Marty Singer further responded to the claims:
“However, this claim by Devyn LaBella has absolutely no merit, and it is completely contradicted by her own actions — and the facts.”
—Marty Singer, Attorney for Kevin Costner.
Singer pointed out that LaBella continued working on Horizon after the supposed incident for several additional weeks, even attending a thank-you dinner with the stunt coordinator:
“She continued to work on the movie for a few more weeks until her wrap date, and she took the stunt coordinator to a thank-you dinner.”
—Marty Singer, Attorney for Kevin Costner.
Potential Ramifications for the Film Industry
The legal battle between Devyn LaBella and Kevin Costner has cast a shadow over the Horizon production and could spur greater scrutiny of on-set practices across the film industry. With accusations involving the absence of required personnel, questionable direction, and workplace retaliation, this case might become a key moment for evaluating professional boundaries and the safeguarding of performers, particularly stunt doubles, in sensitive scenes. As the dispute unfolds in court, the industry, including organizations like Territory Pictures, and figures such as intimacy coordinators, production teams, and supporting cast members like Douglas Smith, Roger Ivens, and Ella Hunt, may see new conversations emerge around set safety, respectful collaboration, and individual rights in filmmaking environments.
