Kevin Costner, the Oscar-winning actor, has filed a declaration in Los Angeles Superior Court denying the sex harassment lawsuit against him by stunt performer Devyn LaBella. LaBella claims that she was subjected to an unscheduled and violent rape scene on the set of Horizon II, but Costner says her allegations are “absolutely false” and designed to damage his reputation.
Costner’s declaration argues that LaBella’s claims were made with the intention of harming him personally, using “sensationalistic language” to create a fictional narrative. He also asserts that the lawsuit is an attempt to embarrass him and gain a massive payday.
LaBella had filed her initial case against Costner in May 2025, alleging that she suffered from permanent trauma after being subjected to the alleged rape scene on set. She is seeking unspecified damages, including the appointment of an intimacy coordinator on future films, and anti-sexual harassment training for defendants.
However, Costner’s team has largely dismissed LaBella’s allegations, citing a lack of evidence and inconsistencies in her story. The lawsuit was filed by SAG-AFTRA member LaBella, who had previously worked on the Horizon series with Costner.
Costner’s response to the allegations comes as his film series has struggled at the box office. The first film in the series, “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1”, premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival but underperformed at the box office. A sequel, “Horizon II”, was released last year but its release date was canceled, and the film has yet to be released.
Costner’s lawyer has already described LaBella’s lawsuit as a “shakedown” and is seeking to have the case dismissed or significantly reduced.
Source: https://deadline.com/2025/08/kevin-costner-dismissal-horizon-sexual-harassment-lawsuit-1236491849