• A stunt performer has sued Kevin Costner and the producers of Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2, alleging she was forced into an unscripted, violent rape scene without proper consent or an intimacy coordinator.
• The suit claims SAG-AFTRA safety protocols, including prior notice, performer consent, and a closed set, were violated, raising concerns about on-set safety and union oversight.
• Costner’s attorney denies the allegations, calling them meritless, while the case highlights broader issues of workplace safety, power dynamics, and ethics in Hollywood.

A stunt performer has filed a lawsuit against Kevin Costner and the producers of Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2, claiming she was forced into performing an unscripted, violent rape scene without proper notice, consent, or an intimacy coordinator present.

Why it matters

The claim raises questions about on-set safety protocols in Hollywood, particularly regarding sensitive scenes involving nudity or sexual violence. It also highlights the growing role of intimacy coordinators in protecting performers, a practice formalized by the performers' union, SAG-AFTRA.

What happened

• Devyn LaBella, stunt double for Ella Hunt, alleges that on May 2, 2023, Costner improvised a rape scene without following union regulations.
• The lawsuit claims LaBella was summoned to replace Hunt, who declined to perform the scene and left the set.
• LaBella says she wasn’t warned about the scene and alleges the male actor was directed to simulate a rape without her prior consent.
• The set wasn’t closed, LaBella alleges, allowing other crew members to witness the scene in violation of industry standards.

Contract violations

LaBella's lawsuit accuses the production of breaching SAG-AFTRA protocols, which require:

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• 48-hour notice and performer consent for scenes involving nudity or simulated sex.
• Presence of an intimacy coordinator during such scenes.
• Limited crew access for privacy during sensitive filming.

The lawsuit states the prior day’s scripted rape scene followed these rules, including rehearsals and a closed set, but the unscripted scene did not.

Costner’s response

Costner’s attorney, Marty Singer, denied the allegations, calling them “meritless.”

• Singer claims the scene was explained to LaBella beforehand and that she gave a “thumbs up” to proceed.
• The attorney presented a text message allegedly sent by LaBella afterward, thanking the stunt coordinator and expressing satisfaction with the scene.

Key concerns raised

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• Workplace safety: The case underscores the importance of enforcing on-set safety measures in the film industry.
• Union oversight: It questions whether SAG-AFTRA guidelines are being consistently followed and monitored.
• Power dynamics: The lawsuit highlights potential abuses of power when high-profile actors also serve as directors or producers.

Bigger picture

The lawsuit comes as Hollywood grapples with broader issues of on-set ethics, from ensuring consent in intimate scenes to addressing worker concerns during the ongoing actors’ and writers’ strikes.

What’s next

LaBella is suing for damages, citing sexual harassment, a hostile work environment, and breach of contract. She began therapy in June 2023 and said the incident left her “exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed.”

Costner has denied all wrongdoing, and the lawsuit could lead to heightened scrutiny of productions that fail to follow industry guidelines. It might also force studios and unions to revisit and strengthen their protections for performers in vulnerable roles.

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