‘Horizon’ Stunt Performer Recordsdata Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Towards Kevin Costner and Movie’s Producers

Kevin Costner has been named in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a stunt performer who alleges she was subjected to an unscripted rape scene on the set of Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 in 2023.

Devyn LaBella claimed within the grievance — filed within the Superior Court docket of California for Los Angeles County on Tuesday, Could 27, and obtained by PEOPLE — that she “was the sufferer of a violent, unscripted, unscheduled rape scene directed by Kevin Costner.”

LaBella additionally included the manufacturing corporations behind the film as defendants within the lawsuit. She is suing for an undisclosed quantity and desires a trial by jury.

LaBella was employed as a stunt double for Horizon 2’s lead actress, Ella Hunt, beneath a SAG settlement, per the grievance. Her job was to face in for Hunt “throughout bodily scenes,” together with performing stunts.

The grievance notes that SAG doesn’t permit “any final minute requests for nudity or simulated intercourse,” and producers are required to provide a 48-hour discover and get the performer’s permission for any modifications to intimate scenes. Hunt’s contract additionally required her to have a “coordinator for all intimacy scenes.”

LaBella alleged in her lawsuit that after filming Horizon 2 for “a number of weeks” and “with out incident,” she was advised that “as a result of its very bodily nature,” she would step in as a double for “a scripted, aggressive and intimate rape scene” with Hunt’s character Juliette and actor Douglas Smith’s character Sig.

The scene was filmed on Could 1, 2023, and after a number of takes, “wrapped” with “no points,” in line with the lawsuit.

LaBella alleged in her submitting that the following day, Could 2, 2023, she was on set for a “non-intimate scene” as Hunt’s stunt double. Nevertheless, Costner, who was additionally on set, allegedly added a scene the place a second actor, Roger Ivens, was imagined to, beneath Costner’s route, “climb on high of Ms. Hunt, violently raking up her skirt.” LaBella alleged that the scene was not listed on the decision sheet for that day. Ivens isn’t named as a defendant.

Within the submitting, LaBella claimed that after Hunt left the set, Costner requested her to “stand in” for the actress “with out correct discover, consent, preparation, or applicable safeguard measures in place” — a activity she claims “was not inside the scope of her function as a stunt double.” LaBella additionally claimed within the submitting that she wasn’t conscious that Hunt had walked off set after allegedly refusing to do the scene.

LaBella insisted in her lawsuit that she by no means gave consent for the alleged impromptu scene, which was a lot completely different than the deliberate, choreographed, and scripted scene that was filmed the day earlier than. She additionally claimed that it was an open set, permitting “anybody” to stroll in and “observe the scene being carried out.”

Within the submitting, LaBella alleged she did not know when the scene started or ended, as Costner allegedly didn’t name out “motion” or “lower.” She additionally claimed stunt and intimacy coordinators weren’t knowledgeable that the scene was being taped.

Following the scene, LaBella emotionally broke down and skilled “reminders of disgrace, humiliation and full lack of management,” per the lawsuit. She took a number of days off from set and later returned to an “awkward” setting. Per the submitting, she was allegedly advised to remain by herself in her trailer and never be on set, whereas others allegedly “made excuses” for Costner. She alleged this was her expertise till manufacturing wrapped and she or he returned to Los Angeles.

LaBella stated the alleged incident upended her profession, “leaving her with everlasting trauma that she will probably be required to handle for years to come back.” She started remedy in June 2023 to handle “signs” for her alleged expertise akin to “sleep disturbance, fears of intimacy” and “nervousness.”

“On that day, I used to be left uncovered, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised security and professionalism,” LaBella stated in a press release shared with PEOPLE. “What occurred to me shattered my belief and ceaselessly modified how I transfer by way of this business. 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.”

Her legal professional, James A. Vagnini, references the lawsuit as “emblematic of what’s nonetheless a really deep rooted problem in Hollywood.”

“This case is a transparent instance of male-dominated, sexist Hollywood film manufacturing,” LaBella’s legal professional Kate McFarlane provides to PEOPLE. “Our consumer was subjected to brutal sexual conduct utterly unprotected from the plain hurt. This occurred even if there exists requirements of conduct and conduct particularly designed to guard individuals like Devyn LaBella.”

Costner’s legal professional Marty Singer vehemently denied the claims, telling PEOPLE that the actor “at all times needs to be sure that everyone seems to be comfy engaged on his movies and takes security on set very severely.” He says LaBella is a “serial accuser” and her claims have “completely no benefit” and are “utterly contradicted by her personal actions — and the information.”

He accuses her of “shakedown techniques” and claims she authorised the scene after rehearsing it with one other actor, giving her stunt coordinator a “thumbs up.” Singer, who represents all manufacturing corporations listed as defendants within the case, says LaBella was “in good spirits” on the night the scene was filmed and despatched the stunt coordinator a textual content message expressing gratitude for the chance.

Within the alleged textual content message shared with PEOPLE, LaBella added a cartwheel and coronary heart hand emojis.

“The information are clear and we’re past assured that Kevin will prevail,” Singer concludes.

LaBella is suing for damages and stated she is looking out the alleged “continued failures” of Hollywood manufacturing corporations in addressing “the impacts of performing sexually specific and violent ‘scenes'” in addition to “the necessity for intimacy coordination.”

Reps for Hunt and Ivens didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.