Kevin Costner’s attorney on Monday described a new filing by stunt performer Devyn LaBella as "groundless and ridiculous," intensifying a public legal dispute over allegations tied to the production of Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2.
In documents obtained by TMZ and reported by other outlets, LaBella, a SAG Award–nominated stunt performer, alleged she was subjected to an unscripted sexual assault on set in May 2023. The filing says LaBella had filmed a scripted rape scene on May 1 with an intimacy coordinator present but that no coordinator was provided the following day for a scene she described as occurring in the "tight confines of a covered wagon." LaBella, who was doubling Ella Hunt’s character Juliette Chesney, alleged co-star Roger Ivens ripped her pantaloons "from the waist down to the crotch," exposing her underwear while she was menstruating, and that Ivens placed "his hand on or near [her] breast and vaginal areas," leaving her feeling "trapped."
Costner’s lawyer, Marty Singer, called the new filing "more of the same old nonsense" and said there are "12 independent witnesses who confirm that Ms. LaBella’s claims are fabricated." Singer told the Daily Mail that Costner "has been very clear about why he refused to give in to a transparent shakedown. He is determined to stand up and fight for the truth — and we will continue to do so."
LaBella previously shared screengrabs with Us Weekly of a May 3, 2023 text exchange with intimacy coordinator Celeste Chaney in which she described the scene as "an abomination" and listed concerns about the shoot. Costner’s camp has pointed to other communications and on-set images to contradict LaBella’s account: a May 11, 2023 text shown by Costner that the performer sent to stunt coordinator and second-unit director Wade Allen thanking him for "these wonderful weeks" and saying, "I'm really happy it worked out the way it did," and August photos the actor provided to the Daily Mail showing LaBella smiling on set and images of her and Ivens filming a scene in which her costume appeared intact.
In an Aug. 19 declaration seeking dismissal of the lawsuit, Costner asserted that LaBella’s pantaloons and petticoats "remained undisturbed" and that there was "no nudity, rape, simulated sex, or physical contact between the performers." Both sides have submitted statements and documents as the case moves through pretrial proceedings.
The dispute stems from production on the long-delayed western epic that Costner wrote, produced, directed and stars in. Chapter 2 premiered at the Venice Film Festival a year ago to largely negative reviews and, as of this week, had no established wide release date. The multi-part franchise — set before and after the Civil War — features an ensemble cast that includes Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Giovanni Ribisi, Jena Malone, Michael Rooker, Danny Huston, Luke Wilson, Thomas Haden Church and Jamie Campbell Bower.
Costner has publicly acknowledged the financial strain of mounting the project, saying he mortgaged his Santa Barbara property and used $38 million of his own funds to help finance the estimated $100 million cost of the first two chapters. Chapter 1 opened to weak box-office returns, grossing $38.7 million, and drew unfavorable critical reactions.
The legal fight has unfolded alongside a broader industry conversation about the role of intimacy coordinators and protocols for simulated sexual content on sets. LaBella’s filing cites the presence of an intimacy coordinator for one day of shooting and alleges a lack of such supervision the next day, a point that figures prominently in her account of the incident.
Representatives for LaBella did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment beyond the court filing. Singer and Costner’s representatives have maintained that the performer’s claims are false and have sought dismissal of the suit. The case remains active as both sides prepare further filings and potential depositions.
Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2’s release status and the outcome of the litigation could affect the future of the multi-film project and Costner’s plans for subsequent chapters. Costner has publicly vowed to continue the franchise despite financial and critical setbacks, saying he intends to press on with the remaining installments.
As the parties continue to litigate, the filings and public statements underscore competing narratives: LaBella’s detailed allegations about on-set conduct and the filmmakers’ denials supported by witness counts, texts and photographs. Court documents and testimony will determine what evidence will be admitted and how the claims are ultimately resolved.