Kevin Costner sues actress for “forcing me to film unscripted sexual assault scenes”

MOVIES May 29, 2025

Translation

Kevin Costner Social Capture
Kevin Costner Social Capture
Hollywood actor and director Kevin Costner(70)has been sued by his body double for allegedly filming a sexual assault scene that was not in the script.

According to foreign media outlets such as People and Deadline on the 28th(local time), Devin Labella, who appeared as a body double for the lead actress in the movie ‘Horizon: An American Legend - Chapter 2’, filed a lawsuit for damages against Kevin Costner and the production company.

According to the lawsuit, Labella “was the victim of an unscripted rape scene on set on May 2, 2023.” On the day of the incident, lead actress Ella Hunt refused to film the scene and left the set at the direction of director Costner, and a body double, Labella, who was not fully informed of the situation, was brought in as her replacement.

Labella’s side said Costner was “repeatedly forced to perform harsh acts” while experimenting with different angles for the rape scene.The defense team criticized the film as “a typical example of male-centered and sexist production practices,” saying “she was not provided with adequate protection despite the obvious danger.”

In response, Costner’s side refuted the claim, saying, “The claim is completely groundless,” and “the actor agreed to film after the rehearsal that day.” They continued to emphasize, “Costner has always tried to ensure that all cast and crew members on set can work in a comfortable and safe environment.”

Kevin Costner enjoyed worldwide popularity in the 1990s with ‘Dances with Wolves’, ‘The Bodyguard’, and ‘Robin Hood the Thief’, and recently enjoyed a second heyday with the drama ‘Yellowstone’.However, the first of the four western films he directed and produced with his own money, ‘Horizon: An American Legend - Chapter 1’, failed at the box office, and the sequel, Chapter 2, has not yet been officially released since its screening at the Venice Film Festival.


Reporter Lee Su com jin sujinl22@donga

This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.