Kevin Costner stepped into the spotlight this week to reflect on his long career in film and his portrayal of romantic storylines—particularly how women have shaped his most iconic projects.
But his comments come just weeks after he became entangled in a troubling lawsuit surrounding an alleged unscripted rape scene on the set of his latest film, Horizon: An American Saga.
A Fan Event, a Conversation, and an Unspoken Cloud
At a recent Q&A during Fanatics Fest in New York City, Costner joined Good Morning America‘s Michael Strahan for a chat that started off light but carried weight due to recent headlines.
Strahan asked the 70-year-old actor-director how he’s managed to weave romantic stories into sports and Western films—a signature of Costner’s style.
Costner answered candidly: “You just can’t have a movie without a woman,” adding that even in his Western Horizon, the narrative is “dominated by women.”
He explained that in his sports films, it’s often the off-field drama—usually involving relationships—that gives the story real substance.
The Lawsuit That’s Casting a Long Shadow
But while Costner was celebrating the role of women in his films, a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by stuntwoman Devyn LaBella has put him and the production of Horizon under scrutiny.
LaBella claims she was involved in a violent and unscripted rape scene during filming in May 2023, without prior notice or consent.
The scene, which she says wasn’t scheduled or choreographed, involved her standing in for actress Ella Hunt.
According to LaBella, Costner himself directed the disturbing sequence without calling traditional cues like “action” or “cut,” leaving her confused, unprepared, and deeply affected by the experience.
Legal Pushback and Denials from Costner’s Team
Costner’s lawyer, Marty Singer, quickly denied the allegations, calling LaBella a “serial accuser” and insisting the claims are baseless.
He stated that LaBella had rehearsed and agreed to the scene in question and even followed up with cheerful texts to the stunt coordinator—including emojis, he noted.
Singer maintains that Costner prioritizes safety on all his sets and would never knowingly put someone in an unsafe or uncomfortable situation.
The legal team believes the truth will ultimately clear his name.
What LaBella Says Happened on Set
According to court documents filed in Los Angeles County, LaBella had already performed a planned, choreographed rape scene earlier in the month.
But the next day, she says Costner directed a new and unexpected scene involving another actor, Roger Ivens, and gave her no time to prepare or consent.
She claims she didn’t even know the lead actress had refused to shoot the same scene herself and had walked off set.
LaBella also says no intimacy coordinator was present that day—something that was supposedly guaranteed in the original production agreements and actor contracts.
Aftermath and Emotional Fallout
The experience left LaBella shaken, she says. In her statement, she described feeling exposed, betrayed, and unsupported by a system that promised professionalism and protection.
She claimed she took several days off due to the emotional toll, and when she returned to set, things felt “awkward” and isolating—especially when she was told to remain alone in her trailer.
The lasting effects, she adds, include trauma, sleep issues, and anxiety—especially around intimacy.
She’s since started therapy and shared that the incident pushed her to become a stronger advocate for safety and consent within the stunt community.
Lawyers Call Out Industry-Wide Issues
LaBella’s legal team believes this case is more than just a personal grievance—it’s symbolic of deeper, systemic problems in Hollywood.
Her attorneys, James Vagnini and Kate McFarlane, argue that the situation reflects how male-dominated production cultures often sideline proper protections for women.
“This happened even with clear standards in place to prevent it,” McFarlane said, calling the conduct “brutal” and the failure to act “inexcusable.”
Costner Remains Focused on His Vision
For now, Kevin Costner continues promoting Horizon, a sprawling Western epic he’s deeply passionate about.
But as the lawsuit unfolds, his words about female characters in film take on a much more complicated meaning.
The outcome of the case—and how it might impact the film’s release and Costner’s reputation—remains to be seen.