Principal photography on the western Rust will resume in the spring, the producers have announced, more than a year after cinematographer Halyna Hutchins’ fatal shooting on set.
A documentary about HutchinsLife and final work, which will include completing the film, is also in the works along with the production, supported by her husband.
The 42-year-old died after being shot by a prop gun held by the Rust star and producer Alec BaldwinAged 64, he was discharged during rehearsals in October 2021. Director Joel Souza was also injured in the accident, which occurred on the set of Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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Moment Baldwin learns of Hutchins’ death
In January, following a lengthy investigation, Baldwin and the film’s gunsmith, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, were charged with manslaughter, while assistant director Dave Halls entered into a plea deal over charges of negligent use of a deadly weapon.
Baldwin’s attorney does he called the case a “terrible mistrial” and vowed to fight the charges. The star is also facing a new civil lawsuit from Hutchins’ parents and sister.
Despite the legal cases, he’s expected to return to film in his role as an actor and producer, Sky News understands. Filming will no longer take place in New Mexico, but no details on the new location have been announced so far.
As previously announced, Souza will return to direct, and cinematographer husband, Matthew Hutchins – which settled a civil suit in October – will serve as executive producer. He will be joined by Academy Award nominee Grant Hill (The Thin Red Line, The Tree of Life), along with the original producers.
A statement from Rust Movie Productions says Matthew Hutchins has tapped cinematographer Bianca Cline (Marcel the Shell With Shoes On) to complement his wife’s vision for the film and that he will donate her salary to charity.
The production will continue to use union crew members and ban the use of functional weapons and any form of ammunition. “Live ammunition is – and always has been – banned on set,” the producers said.
“Completing What Halyna and I Started”
A documentary about the life of Halyna Hutchins is about to be made
In a statement, Souza said, “Although bittersweet, I am grateful that a brilliant and dedicated new production team joining the previous cast and crew is committed to completing what Halyna and I started.
“Every effort of mine on this film will be dedicated to honoring Halyna’s legacy and making her proud. It is a privilege to be completing this on her behalf.”
Two security personnel will be among the new crew members joining the production, Rust Movie Productions said, while returning original crew members include stunt coordinator Allan Graf and costume designer Terese Davis.
The documentary about Hutchins’ life will be directed by Rachel Mason, with Julee Metz producing and Matthew Hutchins also executive producing.
“Both Mason and Metz were close friends of Halyna and look forward to working with the production to honor their friend,” the producers statement said.
What happens next in the criminal case?
Baldwin is expected to make his first court appearance in connection with the case on Friday, February 24. He might appear virtually.
In his report, the Santa Fe District Attorney said the plaintiff had shown “willful disregard” for the safety of others in the days leading up to the incident and was not present for “mandatory” firearms training.
Instead, he had undergone a 30-minute session on set, during which he was distracted by a phone call to his family, the prosecutor said.
His statement added that on the day of the shooting, there were “no fewer than a dozen acts, or omissions of recklessness” on set in the run-up to the incident.
To know more:
Baldwin was “talking on the phone” during weapons training, prosecutors say
Baldwin to make first court appearance for fatal shooting
Baldwin is facing two manslaughter charges in connection with Hutchins’ death.
The former can be termed manslaughter and requires proof of the underlying negligence. The second charge is involuntary manslaughter in the commission of a lawful act, which requires proof that there was more than mere negligence involved in a death; it also includes a firearm upgrade, making the offense punishable by a mandatory five-year prison sentence.
The star is attempting to have the most serious charge thrown out. The plaintiff’s attorneys argue that New Mexico prosecutors made an “unconstitutional and elementary legal error” by accusing him of a statute that did not exist at the time of the fatal shooting.
Hutchins’ Ukrainian family’s new lawsuit
Photo: Santa Fe Police
Meanwhile, a civil lawsuit has been filed by Hutchins’ Ukrainian parents and younger sister, who works as a nurse on the outskirts of the capital Kyiv and is married to a man fighting in the war against Russia.
The new lawsuit alleges benefit malpractice and depravity, based on the emotional or financial support Hutchins previously provided to his sister and parents.
The lawsuit also names a list of Rust crew members, an ammunition supplier, the film’s producers and affiliated businesses as defendants.
She is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, as well as attorneys’ fees.
Baldwin, in turn, filed his own lawsuits against those involved in the handling and supply of the loaded gun. He said he was told the gun was safe.
