Kevin Costner's 'Horizon 2' in Hot Water Due to Stunt Performer's Lawsuit: "Deeply Betrayed"
Stunt performer Devyn LaBella accused Kevin Costner and Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 producers of discrimination, harassment, and creating a hostile work environment. Here are all the details of the case.
Even before the wide release of the film Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2, a scandal broke out.
Key point: According to THR, stunt performer Devyn LaBella filed a lawsuit against the film's director and lead actor, Kevin Costner, and its producers, accusing them of violating labor laws and creating unacceptable working conditions.
In her statement, LaBella claims that she was forced to participate in an unscripted sexual scene that was not included in the original script. She was doubling for actress Ella Hunt, who played Juliette, in the project.
All of Devyn LaBella's Intimate Scenes Were Supposed to Follow a Number of Rules
According to the labor agreement, strict rules apply to all intimate scenes: prior approval, the presence of a special coordinator, and closed shooting.
These requirements are also dictated by the SAG-AFTRA union, of which Hunt and LaBella are both members.
The planned scene was filmed on May 1, 2023, in compliance with all regulations. However, the very next day, Costner unexpectedly demanded that LaBella participate in a new, uncoordinated, violent scene, according to the stuntwoman.
Lawsuit Claims Costner Invited LaBella to Participate in an Unplanned Sexual Violence Scene
LaBella claims that the filming took place without warning, without the necessary preparation, and without a coordinator present. It was later revealed that Hunt herself refused to film the scene.
Devyn LaBella commented:
“On that day, I was left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism.”
After LaBella protested to those in charge, she was removed from the third installment of the franchise, which is currently in production, and was no longer involved in work.
Kevin Costner's Attorney Denies the Allegations
Costner's representative, attorney Marty Singer, denied all the allegations. He emphasized that his client "always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously."
Singer claims that the lawsuit is "completely contradicted by [LaBella's] own actions – and the facts."
Fans Doubt That 'Chapter 2' Will Be Released Because of the Lawsuit
Big picture: Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 was scheduled for wide release on August 16, 2024. However, New Line Cinema declined to release the film. The first installment grossed only $38 million worldwide on a $50 million budget.
The studio hoped the second film release delay would attract more attention to Chapter 1, which was released digitally on July 16, 2024.
With the third and fourth movies in production, many viewers are now skeptical that Chapter 2 will be released at all. Redditor GriveousDance21 wrote:
“Welp, I guess this movie's never coming out, then.”
Many fans believe that LaBella is right to sue Costner and the producers.
Reddit user 0ttoChriek commented:
“She's absolutely right to sue for this, and Costner needs to have answers as to why she didn't know what the scene was going to be, why the appropriate people weren't on set.”
We are left to watch the unfolding of events and wait to see if the case goes to trial.
