The family of cinematographer Halina Hutchins, who was shot dead by Alec Baldwin on the set of the movie “The Last” last year, has reached a settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit against producers, including Baldwin, lawyers for both parties said. on wednesday.
Under the terms of the settlement, production on the film will resume in January and will be executive produced by Hutchins’ widow, Matthew Hutchins. The film will be directed by Joel Souza, the film’s original director.
Ms. Hutchins was killed while practicing with a gun that Mr. Baldwin said was not loaded with live ammunition. It explodes, hitting her and her wounded Mr. Sousa. The Santa Fe County District Attorney’s Office recently noted that up to four people could face criminal charges.
The lawsuit, filed in February by Hutchins’ husband, young son, and personal representative of her estate, accuses Baldwin and other defendants of reckless behavior and cost-cutting measures that endanger the crew. condemned. Basic industry standard safety checks and gun safety rules.
In a statement about the settlement released through his lawyers, Hutchins said: “Filming on Rust, which I am currently executive producing, will resume in January 2023 with all of the original lead cast. “We are grateful to the producers and the entertainment community for coming together to pay tribute to Halina’s final work.”
Understanding What Happened on the Set of ‘Rust’
deadly gunshot. On October 21, 2021, Alec Baldwin was on the set of the movie Rust, rehearsing a scene involving a revolver. The gun opened fire, hitting cinematographer Halina Hutchins and filmmaker Joel Souza. Hutchins died as a result of the incident.
Hutchins, 42, was shot dead on October 21, 2021, while Baldwin practiced pulling an old-fashioned revolver out of his shoulder holster. Baldwin said in a television interview last year that he had not pulled the trigger on the gun when the live ammunition was fired, claiming he was not responsible for the deadly shooting.
Other civil lawsuits have been filed against production by the crew, and the Santa Fe County District Attorney’s Office recently requested additional funding to cover the costs of being sued.
In its request for funding, the agency said it could indict up to four people, including Baldwin, if prosecutors found criminal charges warranted. It remains unclear why there was live ammunition on the film set and how at least one got into the gun Mr. Baldwin was handling.
A lawyer for Hutchins said no details of the settlement were given. Several people besides the production company and Mr. Baldwin were named in the original lawsuit. Dave Halls, the first assistant director. Seth Kenny, the film’s gun and ammo supplier; However, Hutchins’ attorneys would not comment on whether they were included in the settlement or whether Baldwin would star as his original character, Harland Last, when production resumed. .
Baldwin’s attorney, Luke Nikas, said: Thank you to all who contributed to the resolution of this tragic and painful situation. ”
Rust Movie Productions attorney Melina Spadone said the resolution “marks an important step in celebrating Halyna’s life and honoring her work.”
In a statement, Gutierrez-Reid’s attorney, Jason Bowles, said his client was grateful that the settlement would benefit the Hutchins family, adding: “The District Attorney’s Office also expects that justice will be done. I want you to recognize that,” he said. They pledge to choose not to pursue criminal charges regarding this tragic accident. Bowles said he wasn’t sure the dismissal of the settled lawsuit would apply to his clients.
Set in late 19th-century Kansas, Rust follows Baldwin, a grizzled outlaw who tries to help his teenage grandson get hanged after a local rancher is accidentally murdered. centered. In a scene where Mr. Baldwin was practicing when a gun was fired, his character was cornered by authorities in a small wooden church.
“Someone is responsible for this event. I can’t say who it is, but I know it’s not me,” Baldwin said in a television interview last year.
In a subsequent television interview, Hutchins said he was upset by Baldwin’s denial of responsibility. silly to me.
In a statement on Wednesday, Hutchins said he was “not interested in engaging in blame or attribution” against Baldwin or any other producers.
“We all believe that Halina’s death was a terrible accident,” the statement said.