Hollywood actor and director Kevin Costner has recently been sued by a stunt actress who appeared in his film. This is due to the addition of a sexual assault scene that was not in the script.
According to U.S. entertainment media People and Deadline on the 28th (local time), Devyn LaBella, the stunt actress who starred in the film “Horizons: Legend of America - Chapter 2” directed by Costner, filed a damage compensation lawsuit against Costner and the film production company.
LaBella’s side claimed in the complaint, “On May 2, 2023, I became a victim of a violent and unscripted, unanticipated rape scene on the film set directed by Costner.”
According to the complaint, on the day of the incident, the abrupt addition of a rape scene by director Costner caused the lead actress Ella Hunt to be startled and refuse to film, leaving the site. Consequently, LaBella, who was contracted as a stunt actress in advance, was brought in for filming but was reportedly unaware of the situation at that time.
LaBella’s side wrote in the complaint, “I was repeatedly assaulted during various filming experiments of the rape scene by Costner.”
LaBella’s attorney stated in an interview, “This incident is a clear example of the male-centric and sexist Hollywood filmmaking,” adding, “Our client was exposed to harsh sexual acts without being protected from obvious danger.”
However, Costner’s attorney is rebutting, stating, “There is absolutely no basis for this whatsoever.” They claim that LaBella consented to filming after the rehearsal that day.
Costner gained immense popularity in the 1990s with films like “Dances with Wolves,” “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” and “The Bodyguard.” He has been receiving praise for taking the lead role in the U.S. drama series “Yellowstone,” which has been airing since 2018, marking a resurgence in his career.
However, the first part of the Western four-part series, “Horizons: Legend of America - Chapter 1,” which he directed and produced with his own money, failed at the box office last year and received poor reviews, while the sequel, “Horizons: Legend of America - Chapter 2,” has yet to schedule a theatrical release since it was unveiled at the Venice International Film Festival last year.