The lawsuit filed by Horizon 2 stunt performer Devyn LaBella against Kevin Costner has been allowed to proceed with certain restrictions after a Los Angeles judge’s ruling on October 16. The case continues amid ongoing legal debate, although some claims made by LaBella have been dismissed by the court. This Kevin Costner lawsuit update sheds light on the current status and next steps in the proceedings.
Court Rejects Full Dismissal but Eliminates Specific Claims
Kevin Costner, 70, and his legal team had sought to dismiss the entire suit under California’s anti-SLAPP law, which aims to protect free speech against meritless lawsuits. However, the judge denied the motion to throw out the lawsuit completely. Despite this, the court struck down two of LaBella’s claims. One removed claim alleged a violation of the Bane Act, a law meant to fight hate crimes. The judge noted that the plaintiff
has not submitted evidence which could substantiate this claim.
In addition, one of the two sexual harassment allegations was dismissed because it involved conduct occurring in the workplace, which the law cited by LaBella did not cover. The court explained that LaBella’s
allegations and evidence contend that the alleged incident occurred in the course of her employment,
and therefore, she
has not sustained a legally tenable claim for the fourth cause of action.
Remaining Charges and Legal Arguments from Both Parties
Following the dismissal of these two claims, eight counts still remain in LaBella’s lawsuit, including sexual harassment, sex discrimination, retaliation, and breach of contract. Kevin Costner’s attorney Marty Singer expressed cautious approval of the partial win but emphasized the ongoing challenge ahead. Singer stated,
We were pleased to learn that the Court granted our anti-SLAPP motion in part, dismissing two of the plaintiff’s claims (including one of her claims for sexual harassment),
adding,
While we were disappointed with the Court’s decision to allow her remaining causes of action to proceed, the evidence is clear that they have no legal or factual merit, and we plan to appeal the Court’s decision promptly.
Singer called the allegations outlandish, asserting
there was never any ‘simulated rape,’ ‘simulated sex’ or sexual harassment — and absolutely no retaliation.
He further accused the plaintiff of
seeking millions of dollars for agreeing to participate in the rehearsal of a single, benign shot that even she admits was explained to her in advance,
concluding,
We will continue to fight for the truth, and we are extremely confident we will prevail.
Response from Devyn LaBella’s Legal Counsel and Next Steps
LaBella’s attorney, James A. Vagnini, welcomed the court’s decision to maintain the majority of the claims, affirming the strength of the case. He commented,
Today, the court stood with Devyn and recognized the strong merits of her case, an important step towards unveiling the truth about what happened that day and creating accountability for those who abuse their power,
and urged the defendants to cease what he described as
frivolous motions and panicked stall tactics, and instead allow for the discovery phase, when we’ll hear directly from the witnesses on set about the events that transpired.
Vagnini expressed determination to continue
our pursuit of justice for Ms.LaBella as she bravely continues to stand her ground.
LaBella serves as the lead stunt double for Ella Hunt’s character, Juliette, in the Horizon sequel, where the disputed incidents allegedly occurred during filming.
Background: Accusations and Denials in the 2025 Case
The lawsuit traces back to May 2025 when LaBella accused Costner of sexual discrimination, harassment, and fostering a hostile work environment while working on the set of Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2. Costner has firmly denied the accusations, with his legal team emphasizing his commitment to safety and respect during filming. According to Singer,
Kevin Costner always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously,
although he maintained,
This claim by Devyn LaBella has absolutely no merit, and it is completely contradicted by her own actions — and the facts.
Legal Significance and Potential Developments
The partial dismissal of some claims in the Kevin Costner lawsuit update reflects the court’s effort to balance free speech protections with the merits of serious allegations. With most causes of action surviving the anti-SLAPP motion, the legal battle is expected to advance into the discovery phase, where witness testimonies could provide further clarity. The outcome of this case may influence future workplace conduct discussions within the film industry, highlighting issues of sexual harassment and discrimination on set.
