Over a year after it was put on hold after actor Alex Baldwin fatally shot cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on set due to a prop accident, Rust will begin production in January.
The original New Mexico set, however, is still closed due to the continuing investigation into Hutchins’ death, therefore the movie will continue at a different site.
Although Rust Movie Productions LLC attorney Melina Spadone suggested California as a potential location, according to Variety, the production teams are currently searching for a new site.
The production firm and Hutchins’ husband, Matthew Hutchins, disclosed a settlement in which they agreed that production would begin 15 months after the event. News of the move was announced a few weeks after that.
On the movie’s set at Bonanza Creek Ranch, Santa Fe, in October 2021, Halyna was photographed. A wrongful death lawsuit brought by her family in February has already been dismissed.
Despite the news of the settlement, the district attorney’s office in the area emphasized that nobody is above the law and that the agreement would have no bearing on its ongoing criminal investigation into the tragedy.
Baldwin maintains that he did not pull the trigger and that the stunt handlers and prop managers are to fault since they failed to check that the gun did not contain live rounds. No one has been charged by the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office.
After Halyna was fatally murdered during shooting in New Mexico last year, Baldwin wrote on his Instagram page about the resumption of Rust’s production, emphasizing that the decision was made with a “particular desire to do what is best for Halyna’s baby.”
Baldwin said on social media that “everyone has retained the particular intention to do what is best for Halyna’s kid during this tough process.”
We want to express our gratitude to everyone who helped bring this unfortunate and upsetting situation to a close.
Given that Baldwin, Matthew Hutchins, and the producers all agreed that his wife’s death was a “horrible accident,” Hutchins will act as executive producer for the resurrection of the western.
The widower said, “We have achieved a settlement for our wrongful death complaint against Alec Baldwin and Rust Movie Productions, LLC, subject to court approval.
The settlement includes the dismissal of our complaint.
Beginning in January 2023, Rust will once again be filmed with all of the original main cast members present. I will now serve as executive producer.
“I have no interest in indulging in recriminations or assigning blame,” he said (to the producers or Mr. Baldwin). We all agree that Halyna’s death was a sad accident.
“I am pleased that the producers and the entertainment industry have united to honor Halyna’s last effort,” the producer said.
Joel Souza, the director of Rust, praised Hutchins’ brilliance and originality and described the choice to continue working on the movie as “bittersweet.”
My goal for this movie will be to respect Halyna’s legacy and make her proud, Souza said. It is an honor to carry this out on her behalf.
He acknowledged that he would have preferred to collaborate with the cinematographer in a different setting, but he insisted that completing the project would benefit in his own recovery.
According to Spadone, “We are happy that the parties were able to settle this situation via cooperation, which, subject to court approval, represents a significant step forward in commemorating Halyna’s life and recognizing her achievements.”
“The proposed settlement announced today in Matthew Hutchins’ wrongful death case against Rust movie producers, including Alec Baldwin, in the death of Halyna Hutchins will have no impact on District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altweis’ ongoing investigation or her ultimate decision whether to file criminal charges in the case,” the DA’s office stated following the announcement of the civil settlement.
‘Unlike civil lawsuits, which are privately resolved and can result in monetary judgments, criminal cases simply deal with the evidence.
“Charges will be filed if the circumstances and evidence support criminal prosecution under New Mexico law.” Nobody is exempt from the law.