Latest news with #HorizonAnAmericanSaga
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kevin Costner's lawyer slams 'meritless' sexual harassment claims against the actor
Kevin Costner's lawyer has described of sexual harassment allegation against the actor as "meritless". The Yellowstone actor is being sued by Devyn LaBella, who has claimed she was subjected to a 'violent, unscripted, unscheduled rape scene' without notice on set in May 2023 while filming Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2. The 24--year-old stuntwoman's team first filed the lawsuit against Costner and Horizon producers last month and have now filed an amended complaint including text messages with the movie's intimacy coordinator, and the alleged emotions she felt after the scene. In response, Costner's lawyer Marty Singer told in a statement: "Ms. LaBella was doing a rehearsal on an Insert Shot for a scripted scene. There was no intimacy or anything sexual in the shot. "There was tugging on a dress while she was fully clothed in a dress with long bloomers lying down next to a male actor." The lawyer has also alleged that LaBella - who was a stunt double for series star Ella Hunt - thanked her supervisor for "these wonderful weeks" after finishing work on the Western saga. Singer continued: "Numerous witnesses have contradicted Ms. LaBella's meritless claims. "She herself texted her supervisor after she wrapped stating, 'Thank you for these wonderful weeks.' "We look forward to the swift end of this specious lawsuit.' Court documents obtained by say Devyn was hired as a stunt double for lead actress Ella Hunt and not informed or consented to the added scene, which she alleges caused 'permanent trauma'. She also claimed the absence of an intimacy coordinator during filming. Her suit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, states the scene was not on the call sheet and Hunt herself refused to perform it, allegedly walking off set. She added Kevin directed actor Roger Ivens to perform the assault scene and asked her to stand in without adequate preparation or safeguards. Kevin's attorney Marty Singer denied the allegations, calling her a 'serial accuser' and accusing her of 'shakedown tactics'. He stated: 'Kevin always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously.' He also said Devyn had approved and rehearsed a prior intimate scene and was 'in good spirits' afterwards. Devyn, whose credits include Barbie (2023) and FX's American Horror Stories, said in a statement to People: 'On that day, I was left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism.' She added she sought therapy for anxiety and sleep disturbances after the incident and vowed to advocate for safer sets. Her attorneys, James A. Vagnini and Kate McFarlane, described the case as 'emblematic of what is still a very deep rooted issue in Hollywood' and 'a clear example of male-dominated, sexist Hollywood movie production.'
Screen Geek
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Screen Geek
Kevin Costner Sued By Stunt Performer Over Unscripted 'Horizon 2' Rape Scene
Celebrity Kevin Costner is one of the biggest individuals behind the Horizon: An American Saga film series. He is attached to the films as star, co-writer, producer, and director. Now Kevin Costner is being sued by a stunt performer over an unscripted rape scene featured in Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 . As shared via THR, stunt performer Devyn LaBella worked on the film in May 2023. She participated in the second film of the series with the intention of filling in for what the outlet refers to as 'basic, fairly boring shots.' This was allegedly not the case, however. According to the outlet: 'Instead, she says, she was surprised by being subjected to an unscripted, brutal rape scene without proper notice, consent or the presence of a contractually mandated intimacy coordinator.' Due to this situation, 'LaBella is suing Costner and the film's production companies for sexual discrimination, harassment and the creation of a hostile work environment. Moreover, the complaint alleges LaBella faced retaliation after she reported the incident by not being called back for subsequent work on the Horizon series and never being hired again by the film's stunt coordinator, with whom she had worked previously.' LaBella also issued the following statement to the outlet to emphasize how 'deeply betrayed' she feels and that it has 'forever changed' her career: 'On that day, I was left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism,' LaBella said . 'What happened to me shattered my trust and forever changed how I move through this industry.' An opposing statement was released by Costner's attorney, Marty Singer, who claims that Costner 'always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously.' Singer also adds that LaBella's lawsuit has 'absolutely no merit' and that it's 'completely contradicted' by her 'own actions – and the facts.' The production had LaBella operate as the stunt double for actress Ella Hunt. Hunt's role was known to include sexual violence, and furthermore, the outlet adds that she 'negotiated a mandatory intimacy coordinator on all nude or intimate scenes,' which is a negotiation that would also apply to LaBella. As such, a scripted rape scene shot on May 1 'went by the book,' in which 'LaBella performed the more physical, rough aspects of the action,' all of which 'was detailed on the day's call sheet, rehearsed with a stunt coordinator and an intimacy coordinator, later monitored by that intimacy coordinator, took place on a closed set and was structured such that performers got breaks in between shots.' While these appear to be ideal working conditions for such a scene, that was allegedly not the case the following day. As summarized by the outlet: 'But rules were allegedly thrown out the window the next day, when LaBella showed up on set to double for two non-intimate sequences and was asked by Costner to stand in for Hunt for a shot. Unbeknownst to LaBella, the complaint claims, Hunt had just walked off of the set, 'visibly upset,' after Costner told her he had just added an impromptu scene of sexual violence perpetuated by a different character than the previous day's scene.' The outlet continues: 'LaBella, instructed to lay down on a wagon, allegedly only found out that this was a rape scene after Costner called for actor Roger Ivens to simulate nonconsensual sex on top of her: 'Mr. Ivens violently rustled Ms. LaBella's skirt up as if trying to penetrate her against her will' while pinning her down per the director's orders, the complaint states. No notice had been given, the scene had not been rehearsed, no intimacy coordinator was on set and all of the action was aired on monitors that could be viewed by the entire crew, according to the suit.' In response to these allegations, the outlet claims Singer's response is 'that this was a rehearsal without cmaeras rolling and not a filmed scene itself.' Additionally, he claims that the stunt coordinators for the film were present, and that LaBella reacted after the rehearsal by giving 'her stunt coordinator a 'thumbs up' and indicated her willingness to then shoot the scene, if needed.' However, the scene was ultimately shot with a stand-in performer instead of LaBella. During the rehearsal, Costner never called 'action' or 'cut' in a consistent manner, and so LaBella was confused in the moment. 'Mr. Ivens never separated from Ms. LaBella,' the suit claims. The suit also claims that she was not properly prepared by the wardrobe department for when her undergarments would be exposed, something that occurred when Ivens was directed by Costner. After, LaBella claims to have been 'terrified' and complained to different stunt coordinators and the film's intimacy coordinator. While she received some apologies, she was otherwise made to stay inside her trailer, 'fully costumed' but 'not used on set for several days.' While Singer insists she showed gratitude for working on the film when production wrapped, including her decision to take stunt coordinator Wade Allen to dinner as a 'thank-you,' LaBella insists that her career has come to an 'abrupt halt' ever since the incident occurred. As such, we'll have to see how this situation continues. It certainly adds another complicated layer for Kevin Costner and his attempts at making Horizon: An American Saga a major success. Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for any additional updates as we have them.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How to watch 'Kevin Costner's The West:' Channel, premiere date, where to stream and more
With ambitious works like Dances With Wolves, Horizon: An American Saga and Yellowstone, Kevin Costner has brought the American West to life on screen for decades. His latest project, Kevin Costner's The West, is a new docu-series for the History Channel that will offer a detailed look at the legacy of the West and the many conflicts that have taken place among the people trying to control it throughout history. Costner not only serves as a producer of the project, he also narrates the series that blends expert interviews and historical reenactments to tell the story of the nation's past. The eight-part series, which is executive-produced by author and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, will premiere with two back-to-back episodes on Monday, May 26 at 9 p.m. ET, followed by a special presentation of episode three on Tuesday, May 27 at 8 p.m. If you're interested in diving in to Kevin Costner's The West, here's everything you need to know about how to watch. Kevin Costner's The West will premiere on Monday, May 26 at 9 p.m. ET with two back-to-back episodes. Episode 3 will air the next day, May 27, at 9 p.m. and all subsequent episodes will air on Mondays at 9 p.m. Kevin Costner's The West airs on the History Channel. There are several ways you can watch Kevin Costner's The West without cable. You can tune into the History Channel on several platforms including Philo, FriendlyTV, DirecTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV. The show's episodes will also be available on the History Channel app and website the day after they air.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How to watch 'Kevin Costner's The West:' Channel, premiere date, where to stream and more
With ambitious works like Dances With Wolves, Horizon: An American Saga and Yellowstone, Kevin Costner has brought the American West to life on screen for decades. His latest project, Kevin Costner's The West, is a new docu-series for the History Channel that will offer a detailed look at the legacy of the West and the many conflicts that have taken place among the people trying to control it throughout history. Costner not only serves as a producer of the project, he also narrates the series that blends expert interviews and historical reenactments to tell the story of the nation's past. The eight-part series, which is executive-produced by author and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, will premiere with two back-to-back episodes on Monday, May 26 at 9 p.m. ET, followed by a special presentation of episode three on Tuesday, May 27 at 8 p.m. If you're interested in diving in to Kevin Costner's The West, here's everything you need to know about how to watch. Kevin Costner's The West will premiere on Monday, May 26 at 9 p.m. ET with two back-to-back episodes. Episode 3 will air the next day, May 27, at 9 p.m. and all subsequent episodes will air on Mondays at 9 p.m. Kevin Costner's The West airs on the History Channel. There are several ways you can watch Kevin Costner's The West without cable. You can tune into the History Channel on several platforms including Philo, FriendlyTV, DirecTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV. The show's episodes will also be available on the History Channel app and website the day after they air.
