Almost a year after cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed when a gun held by Alec Baldwin on the set of the movie Rust was fired, filming is set to resume in January 2023 "with all the original principal players on board," according to a statement released this morning (October 5, 2022) by Matthew Hutchins, the widower of Halyna Hutchins.
As part of the settlement, Hutchins will now be an executive producer on the film. He added, "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... I have no interest in engaging in recriminations or attribution of blame (to the producers or Mr. Baldwin). 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."
An investigation by the FBI concluded that the gun that killed Hutchins on the set of Rust could not have been fired “without a pull of the trigger while the working internal components were intact and functional.” Baldwin, who was holding the gun, has stated that he didn't know there were live rounds in the firearm and claims he didn't pull the trigger.
During the tragic incident, Hutchins was shot and killed, while director Joel Souza was also shot but has since recovered.
Souza will return as the film's director. He released a statement that read in part: "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."
Alec Baldwin wrote on Instagram: "We are pleased to announce today the settlement of the civil case filed on behalf of the family of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. 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 Santa Fe County District Attorney’s Office states that the settlement won’t impact their decision on whether or not they will lay charges in the incident that resulted in Ms. Hutchins' death. "While civil suits are settled privately and often involve financial awards, criminal cases deal only in facts," read their statement. “If the facts and evidence warrant criminal charges under New Mexico law then charges will be brought. No one is above the law." ~Alexandra Heilbron
So the husband took the money and also asked to be a producer on the film? And now he's fine with Alec Baldwin shooting his wife dead and will work on a set with him every day?
I totally agree with you Sam. For all we know, Baldwin did the husband a favor -- maybe he wanted a divorce, who knows -- Baldwin saved him the bother. Now he's got his pockets filled & a good job & once again a rich S.O.B. has been able to pay his way out of a law suit. I hope he will still get charged & prosecuted by the state. He held the gun but didn't pull the trigger --- oh ya, give me a f**king break!! He still says he feels no guilt!! Shame on him!! Any Idiot knows you NEVER point a loaded gun at anyone. For the first shot you can point it at something beside them just to make sure it carries blanks & for the cameras it would still look to the audience as if the shot was fired right at the person. This man is an absolute TOAD.
I agree with you Terry. Baldwin cannot be trusted. He's a creep. They better charge him with manslaughter for pulling the trigger when he said he didn't. As far as the man's wife being shot in this case, I don't believe that he asked Baldwin to shoot his wife. I guess the money was a lure to drop the case.
How is that director going to trust Alec Baldwin again? He probably has PTSD from being shot by him. As soon as Baldwin has a gun in his hands, he's going to want to drop to the floor.
We can all talk and may never know the truth of what really happened. The realty is a sad, horrible, tragedy, that should never have happened and hopefully will never happen again. I'm surprised there finishing the movie.
Unbelievable and sickening!! Anyone involved in finishing this film is a deranged psycho. Sad commentary on our culture and movie industry. Assuming the film gets finished, who the f*** would want to see it? Couldn't pay me enough.
I've read the previous comments/opinions. Most are harsh and aggressive. Unless the individuals who wrote these comments know Alec Baldwin, personally, it's unfair to make these statements. The way of the world in which we now live is one in which we handle civil matters in this way. No amount of money can account for this loss, however, this is a solution of sorts. Any criminality or blame will be determined by the authorities. If a person is charged with a crime, that person can then decide if they need legal counsel. Anyone, Baldwin included, is entitled to the best defense they can afford. Wealthy people have the means to get the best. Consequently, they often walk. This should surprise NO ONE. Now, the elephant in the room, for me, is this: Who was the armorer on this production? It would have been his, or her responsibility to maintain the safety of any weapon on the set! Why have we not heard anything in this regard? This is a major question begging for an answer. Think about it
money changers every thing that poor little boy without a mother shes watching him in heaven now
@Rodney C. Badgett - exactly! Well said. We weren't there. That part is now over and who are we to comment on their agreement/arrangement. The criminal action is actually the most important part, not the civil action. That benefitted the family, not the actual victim. The family wouldn't have signed the agreement if they didn't like it or think it wasn't fair. I totally agree with the amourer comment. Not a single person here is a weapons expert who will be called upon to give their testimony. Some idiot put live rounds in a gun and they wree firing at pop cans and bottles between takes. The amourer who gets paid to solely look after the weapons did NOT do their job. The actor was instructed to act and fire the gun. His idiot comment that he didn't know how it went off, is moronic, but that's beside the point. Even if he (Baldwin) opened the chamber, he likely didn't know the difference between a live round and a movie prop blank bullet. Not a single person in these comments would say they would know and they would have fired one round into the ground to make sure. B.S. Everyone is an expert after the fact.