[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
A stunt performer is suing Kevin Costner over an unscripted rape scene in his film Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2.
According to TheWrap, Devyn LaBella filed a lawsuit against the director/actor and the film’s production companies for sexual discrimination and harassment. The stunt worker claims she had to do a violent rape scene without notice or consent, and the intimacy coordinator required by SAG-AFTRA rules was not present. Devyn further alleges that after she reported the incident, she faced retaliation and was not hired again by the stunt coordinator for the movie with whom she previously worked, nor was she asked back for subsequent work on the film series. LaBella said in a statement:
“On that day, I was left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism. What happened to me shattered my trust and forever changed how I move through this industry.”
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In the lawsuit obtained by TheWrap on Tuesday, Devyn said that she was hired as a stunt double for Ella Hunt, who portrays Juliette Chesney. She was assigned to shoot a scripted rape scene that was rehearsed and supervised by an intimacy coordinator. The scene was filmed with no issues. However, the following day, nothing was by the book.
The lawsuit claims Devyn was supposed to double for Ella again for two non-sexual scenes but was asked to lay down on a wagon for what became an unscripted rape scene with zero rehearsal. An intimacy coordinator wasn’t even on set for the impromptu moment, which is a violation of union rules.
Per the suit, Ella walked off the set “visibly upset” when she was informed by Kevin about the rape scene — unbeknownst to Devyn. The violent scene allegedly was not listed on the call sheet that day, and Devyn had no clue the scene would involve sexual assault until another stunt performer began simulating nonconsensual sex on top of her. The Hollywood Reporter reported the scene involved actor Roger Ivens “violently” rustling “Ms. LaBella’s skirt up as if trying to penetrate her against her will” while pinning her down, based on the director’s command.
WTF!
During the scene, the lawsuit claimed Kevin did not consistently call “action” or “cut,” which left Devyn without any time to process what was happening. It also meant that Ivens allegedly “never separated from Ms. LaBella,” consistently keeping his hand on her body. The complaint also alleged that Devyn was not prepared by the wardrobe department for her undergarments to be exposed, which Kevin directed Ivens to do.
Ultimately, the whole experience left her shaken and “terrified.”Devyn alleged she complained about the incident to several stunt coordinators and the intimacy coordinator. While some crew members apologized to her, the lawsuit claimed she was punished for speaking out. She was subsequently not used as a stunt performer for several days and ultimately the rest of the film series.
All of this is not OK. Her disturbing accusations about what happened on-set should’ve been taken seriously, and she shouldn’t have been allegedly penalized for calling it out. So, understandably, she now wants the industry to do better. Devyn’s lawyer, James A. Vagnini, said in a statement:
“This suit is filed not only for the damages Plaintiff has sustained, but to address the continued failures at the highest levels of Hollywood production companies to comprehend and address the impacts of performing in sexually explicit and violent ‘scenes’ and the need for intimacy coordination.”
As for Kevin? His attorneys denied the allegations to TheWrap on Tuesday, insisting they have “absolutely no merit.” The statement continued:
“As a stunt performer on ‘Horizon 2,’ the scene in question was explained to Ms. LaBella, and after she performed the rehearsal in character with another actor, she gave her Stunt Coordinator supervisor a ‘thumbs up’ and indicated her willingness to then shoot the scene, if needed (which she was not).”
Kevin’s lawyers went on to claim Devyn had dinner with the film’s stunt coordinator and assistant stunt coordinator the night after the scene and continued to work on Horizon for several weeks. The attorneys even provided screenshots of texts between the coordinator and Devyn, in which the stunt performer thanked the coordinator for hiring her. Hmm. His reps added:
“The facts are clear and we are beyond confident that Kevin will prevail.”
We’ll see. What are your reactions to the accusations, Perezcious readers? Let us know in the comments.
[Image via Horizon: An American Saga/Territory Pictures,Devyn LaBella/Instagram]
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