Costner’s career, a tapestry woven from iconic roles in The Bodyguard, Field of Dreams, and Yellowstone, has weathered storms before. His 1997 directorial flop The Postman earned Razzie Awards, and his 2023 divorce from Christine Baumgartner after 18 years was tabloid fodder, yet he rebounded with critical acclaim and fan loyalty. But this scandal, blending his “women are dramatic” remarks with a serious lawsuit, poses a unique threat. Horizon: An American Saga, Costner’s self-funded passion project, was envisioned as a crowning achievement, a four-part Western epic celebrating the American frontier. With $38 million of his own money invested, the first chapter’s dismal $38.7 million box office against a $100 million budget was a blow. The cancellation of Chapter 2’s theatrical release in August 2024, coupled with LaBella’s $10 million lawsuit, could spell disaster for the franchise’s future.

Industry insiders are pessimistic. “Kevin’s betting everything on Horizon, but this scandal could scare off investors for Chapters 3 and 4,” a producer told Deadline. The lawsuit’s timing, just as Chapter 2 shifts to a streaming release on Max, risks alienating audiences, particularly women, who make up 45% of Yellowstone’s viewership, per Nielsen data. “He’s losing the goodwill he built as John Dutton,” a marketing executive told The Wrap, referencing Costner’s Yellowstone patriarch role. The show, a cultural juggernaut with 15 million viewers per episode, saw Costner exit in 2023 amid reported tensions with creator Taylor Sheridan, a move that already dented his image. Now, with 350,000 X mentions labeling him a “misogynist,” the fallout could erode his fanbase further.

Costner’s silence is a gamble. Unlike his 1994 apology for comments about Native American representation in Dances with Wolves, he’s offered no public response to the Fanatics Fest remarks or the lawsuit. “He’s hoping it blows over, but that’s naive,” a PR strategist told Variety. A potential 2026 trial, if the lawsuit doesn’t settle, could dominate headlines, overshadowing Horizon’s release. LaBella’s legal team is pushing for more than damages—an apology and mandatory intimacy training for Costner’s productions. “This isn’t just about Devyn,” attorney Kate McFarlane told The Hollywood Reporter. “It’s about changing how Hollywood treats women on set.”

A Reckoning for Hollywood’s Culture 🌟

LaBella’s lawsuit taps into a broader post-#MeToo reckoning. Since 2017, when the movement exposed systemic abuse in the industry, Hollywood has faced pressure to reform. SAG-AFTRA’s 2020 intimacy coordinator guidelines, requiring advance notice and consent for intimate scenes, were meant to protect performers, but LaBella’s allegations suggest gaps remain, especially on high-budget sets. “If a star like Costner can bypass protocols, what hope is there for smaller productions?” lawyer James Vagnini asked The Independent. The case echoes recent controversies, like Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni over It Ends With Us, where she alleged sexual harassment and a smear campaign. Both highlight the power的就是

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