A stunt performer filed a lawsuit against Kevin Costner for work-related injuries.
Kevin Costner Faces Lawsuit Over Unscripted Rape Scene Allegation on 'Horizon' Set
A stunt performer, Devyn LaBella, has filed a lawsuit against actor and filmmaker Kevin Costner, his production companies Horizon Series Inc. and Territory Pictures, over an alleged unscripted rape scene on the set of the television series 'Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2.'
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on May 27, claims that during the shooting of the series, Costner allegedly directed an actor to pin LaBella down on a wagon and simulate rape in an unscripted scene without notice or proper safeguards. According to the lawsuit, this incident occurred a day after LaBella participated in a planned and scripted rape scene with the presence of an intimacy coordinator.
The lawsuit alleges that these actions violated union contracts and industry standards, causing LaBella significant trauma and disrupting her career.
Costner's attorney, Martin Singer, dismissed the allegations, calling them a "shakedown" and stating that Costner prioritizes safety and comfort on his sets. Singer added that LaBella had dinner with her supervisors the night of the incident and made no complaints about her experience.
LaBella, 34, is a former gymnast and has been working as a Hollywood stunt performer since 2020. She served as the stunt double for one of the lead actors, Ella Hunt, throughout the production.
The case underscores the importance of ensuring that all actors and stunt performers are properly informed and consent to any scenes that may be physically or emotionally demanding, particularly those involving sensitive or violent content.
[1] LaBella's lawsuit states that protocols were followed during the planned sexual assault scene, which included meetings, rehearsals, the presence of an intimacy coordinator, and a minimal crew. However, the unscripted scene reportedly lacked all of these precautions.
[2] Union contracts and industry standards require that all productions must have an intimacy coordinator present for any scene involving physical or emotional intimacy to protect the actors and ensure their comfort and consent.
- Despite the adherence to protocols during the planned sexual assault scene on the 'Horizon' set, LaBella's lawsuit claims that the unscripted rape scene lacked the necessary safeguards, including the presence of an intimacy coordinator, which is a standard requirement for productions involving physical or emotional intimacy.
- The lawsuit also alleges that the entertainment industry's standard of having an intimacy coordinator present in scenes involving sensitive content was not met in the unscripted rape scene on the 'Horizon' set, putting LaBella at risk and causing her significant trauma.
