Alec Baldwin’s Rust will resume filming in January 2023 following a settlement with the estate of Halyna Hutchins, the movie’s cinematographer who was tragically killed in an on-set shooting incident last year.
As reported by Deadline, Matthew Hutchins, husband of Halyna, said: “We have reached a settlement, subject to court approval, for our wrongful death case against the producers of Rust, including Alec Baldwin and Rust Movie Productions, LLC. As part of that settlement, our case will be dismissed.”
Halyna died on October 21, 2021, while filming Rust as the result of a fatal firearms accident. According to initial reports, a prop firearm was accidentally loaded with live ammunition, resulting in the death of Hutchins after the gun was handed to Baldwin, the film’s star.
With a settlement agreed, Matthew Hutchins will now take on the role of executive producer on the film. “The filming of Rust, which I will now executive produce, will resume with all the original principal players on board in January 2023,” he confirmed.
Following the incident, it was revealed that Baldwin had been in possession of the firearm when it was discharged. Baldwin since claimed he did not pull the trigger. Additionally, reports of previous incidents involving the film’s armorer, Dave Hall, made it difficult to establish exactly who had been at fault on the day.
“I have no interest in engaging in recriminations or attribution of blame (to the producers or Mr. Baldwin),” said Hutchins, “All of us believe Halyna’s death was a terrible accident. I am grateful that the producers and the entertainment community have come together to pay tribute to Halyna’s final work.”
Rust is a western set in 1880s Kansas, telling the story of an outlaw, Harland Rust (Baldwin), who becomes a fugitive along with his thirteen-year-old grandson (Brady Noon) after rescuing him from being hanged after he’s sentenced to death for murder.
“Those of us who were lucky enough to have spent time with Halyna knew her to be exceedingly talented, kind, creative, and a source of incredible positive energy,” said director Joel Souza. “I only wish the world had gotten to know her under different circumstances, as it surely would have through her amazing work. In my own attempts to heal, any decision to return to finish directing the film could only make sense for me if it was done with the involvement of Matt and the Hutchins family. Though certainly bittersweet, I am pleased that together, we will now complete what Halyna and I started. My every effort on this film will be devoted to honoring Halyna’s legacy and making her proud. It is a privilege to see this through on her behalf.”
On Instagram, Alec Baldwin offered his own statement. “We are pleased to announce today the settlement of the civil case filed on behalf of the family of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins,” he wrote. “Throughout this difficult process, everyone has maintained the specific desire to do what is best for Halyna’s son. We are grateful to everyone who contributed to the resolution of this tragic and painful situation.”
The Hutchins estate originally filed a lawsuit following Halyna’s death, alleging that Baldwin and the film’s producers “did not take action to correct the situation and ensure that basic gun safety rules were followed on October 21, 2021”.
“Had Defendant Baldwin, the Producers, and the Rust Production Companies taken adequate precautions to ensure firearm safety on the set of Rust or if basic firearm safety rules had been followed on the set of Rust on October 21, 2021, Halyna Hutchins would be alive and well, hugging her husband and nine-year old son,” continued the filing (via Variety).
Almost a year after the incident, local law enforcement is yet to bring charges against anyone.
Thumbnail credit: Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images for National Geographic
