Kevin Costner has formally denied allegations made by stunt performer Devyn LaBella regarding an unscheduled and unrehearsed rape scene during the filming of Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter 2. The denial came in a recent court filing, where Costner labeled the claims as part of an attempt to embarrass him and the Horizon productions for an unjust financial gain. LaBella’s lawsuit, filed in May, accused Costner and the production team of ignoring safety protocols and union rules by forcing her to participate in a scene without an intimacy coordinator or proper preparation.
Details Surrounding the Contested Scene and Conflicting Accounts
Costner described the disputed scene as a single artistic shot intended to convey implied events occurring off-screen, emphasizing that it was not a simulated rape as LaBella described. He expressed disappointment that a member of his crew would manufacture such a story and claimed the allegations were “absolutely false.” In his statement, Costner defended the professionalism of the production and condemned the use of terms such as “rape” and “assault,” calling the situation a “nightmare.”
“Devyn’s claims against me are absolutely false, and it is deeply disappointing to me that a woman who worked on our production would claim that I or any other of the production team would make one of our own feel uncomfortable, let alone suffer the ‘nightmare’ she has invented,”
Costner said in the legal declaration.
“I can only assume that the purpose was to use this sensationalistic language to embarrass and damage me and the Horizon movies on an ongoing basis in order to gain a massive and unjustified payday. Equally as bad, having to read about and address allegations I know to be false involving the words ‘rape’ and ‘assault’ has been an absolute nightmare.”
Support and Contradictions from Intimacy and Stunt Coordinators
Supporting LaBella’s version of events, Celeste Chaney, who served as the film’s intimacy coordinator, stated that the scene was unexpectedly introduced to both performers and lacked adequate communication. Chaney described Ella Hunt, the actress for whom LaBella was the stunt double, as leaving the set visibly upset due to her unpreparedness for the scene. Chaney’s report highlighted the absence of an intimacy coordinator during this filming moment, which was a contractual requirement.
“Due to a lack of communication and the lack of an intimacy coordinator on set (a contractual obligation),”
Chaney wrote.
“Ella Hunt was not prepared to give this performance. Visibly upset, she left set. It was at this time that Devyn LaBella, [Hunt’s] stunt double, who was also not briefed or prepared for the scene, was asked to stand in to ‘line up the shot.’”
In contrast, Wade Allen, the stunt coordinator responsible for hiring and supervising LaBella, reported that the scene involved no intimate or sexual content. Allen claimed that LaBella exhibited no signs of distress or discomfort during the filming and had no expressed concerns about the actions she was asked to perform.
“No intimacy, no nudity, no sexual conduct or sexual movement of any kind,”
Allen stated.
“At no point that day did [LaBella] evidence any distress or discomfort, or any concern about what she had been asked to do.”
Legal Responses and Implications for Hollywood Accountability
LaBella’s lawyer, James Vagnini, responded sharply to Costner’s denial, interpreting it as an effort by a powerful figure in Hollywood to evade responsibility. Vagnini criticized the filing as a strategy aimed at delaying justice rather than addressing the allegations substantively.
“This filing is continued evidence that one of Hollywood’s most powerful men is trying to skirt accountability for reckless and harmful behavior,”
Vagnini stated.
“This baseless motion is nothing but a desperate delay tactic from a panicked legal team with no real defense. The only things damaging Kevin Costner’s reputation are his own reckless, harmful behavior and the offensive narrative he’s spreading to cover it up.”
Broader Context and Anticipated Developments in the Case
The conflict between Kevin Costner and Devyn LaBella over the filming practices on Horizon: An American Saga underscores ongoing discussions regarding on-set safety and performers’ rights, particularly surrounding sensitive scenes without proper coordination. Given the contradictions in accounts from those directly involved in production, the lawsuit could influence future industry standards and the enforcement of safety measures such as intimate scene protocols.
As this legal dispute progresses, it is likely to draw greater attention to how productions handle unplanned scenes and the protections afforded to actors and stunt personnel. The outcome may also affect Costner’s reputation and the standing of the Horizon franchise within a broader cultural and legal framework demanding transparency and responsibility in filmmaking.
