Kevin Costner’s Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Ordeal Takes Turn As His Legal Team Attempts To Get It Thrown Out Of Court

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It seems that most of Kevin Costner’s backstage troubles with Yellowstone have become history, given that the western drama, which features spinoffs, has ended. However, he is still dealing with a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a stunt performer on Horizon: An American Saga. His legal team is making efforts to get the case dismissed by submitting new documents that aim to counter the allegations in the suit.

In May 2025, Devyn LaBella, who is a performer, initially filed a lawsuit. This lawsuit became public knowledge in June. According to LaBella, while working on the film “Horizon: An American Saga – Part II,” she was pressured to replace star Ella Hunt for an additional version of a controversial rape scene that was not originally scripted. LaBella asserted that Hunt had filmed the scene the day prior, with an intimacy coordinator present, but during the reshoot, the coordinator was absent, which is a potential violation of SAG regulations. Additionally, altering a scene like this on-the-spot could also be a breach of SAG rules.

According to Labella’s lawsuit, she claims she wasn’t warned about the nature of the scene beforehand and ended up working with an actor (Roger Ivens) who was directed in a manner that made her feel uncomfortable and violated. In this scene, Labella alleges that her skirt was lifted, leaving her feeling exposed. After the incident, she adjusted her lawsuit to include alleged text messages she sent to the intimacy coordinator expressing her discomfort and concerns.

The Latest Update From Kevin Costner’s Legal Team

Based on reports by TMZ, Kevin Costner’s legal team, comprising Marty Singer and T. Wayne Harman, have submitted fresh documents with the intention of dismissing a sexual harassment lawsuit. They have presented an alleged text message from Devyn Labella, along with Costner’s account of events surrounding the controversial “rape scene.

In their most recent reports, LaBella is depicted as being jubilant during the filming of the sequel to Horizon: An American Saga. Following the conclusion of the production, it’s claimed that she sent this text message to her superior.

I truly enjoyed these past few weeks! I’m deeply grateful to you! I’ve gained so much knowledge, and I want to express my gratitude once more. It’s not just that it went well, but I’m ecstatic about how everything turned out. Wishing you a fantastic continuation of the project, and yes, we’ll be in touch soon!

In the recent documents submitted, lawyers Singer and Harman expressed curiosity as to why LaBella’s behavior turned confrontational and legalistic, stating that such a demeanor was not how she initially appeared. As stated in the lawsuit:

[Alternative Paraphrase 1]
Lawyers Singer and Harman wondered in court documents why LaBella suddenly displayed aggressive and litigious behavior when she didn’t seem that way earlier on. According to the complaint filed, this was the case.

[Alternative Paraphrase 2]
The lawyers questioned in new filings why LaBella switched to a confrontational and lawsuit-oriented approach when she wasn’t like that at first. The lawsuit claims that this change occurred as stated.

[Alternative Paraphrase 3]
In the recently submitted papers, attorneys Singer and Harman raised questions about why LaBella suddenly took on a hostile and litigious stance when she hadn’t behaved that way previously. The lawsuit alleges that this transformation transpired as described.

There was no anger or resentment, only enthusiasm and gratitude.

In the scene Devyn Labella later sued over, as depicted by Costner, she lay fully dressed next to co-star Roger Ivens inside a covered wagon. She wore a long dress over bicycle shorts. During this scene, it’s reported that Ivens moved his leg across the stunt performer’s body and lifted her dress hem, but no simulated sexual act or nudity was filmed. There were no further physical interactions between Ivens and the stunt actress beyond this moment.

In my perspective, Costner acknowledges that the dress might have gathered and risen, yet nothing from underneath the costume seemed disturbed. As for the actor, he shared his dismay that someone would aim to tarnish his reputation following our joint production, finding it particularly distressing.

Although it was reportedly wrapped up by summer 2023, and two additional movies were filmed (with a fourth in line), the second installment of Horizon: An American Saga has yet to receive an official launch. This delay is partly due to the financial and critical disappointments faced by the first film, despite notable streaming viewership figures. The movie premiered at the Santa Barbara Film Festival in February 2025, but difficulties with distributor New Line and a separate lawsuit over breach of contract have presented challenges for a broader release.

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2025-08-19 18:35