In Hollywood, “The show must go on”. Filming Rust Alec Baldwin will therefore resume this week, the production announced on Tuesday, a year and a half after the death of the director of photography due to an accidental shooting of the actor.
The production of this western on a ranch in New Mexico had turned tragic on October 21, 2021, when Alec Baldwin had activated a weapon supposed to contain only blank bullets, but whose very real projectile had killed the cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, and injured director Joel Souza. Charged with manslaughter, Alec Baldwin has pleaded not guilty.
Court case still ongoing
If the court case continues, filming should resume on Thursday in Montana. “The production will continue to use unionized crew members and prohibit the use of work weapons and any form of ammunition,” explained production attorney Melina Spadone. “Live ammunition is – and always has been – prohibited on set,” she said. This rare news item had prompted calls to ban firearms on the sets.
Known in particular for his role in the series 30Rock, Alec Baldwin has always claimed his innocence. According to him, he was assured that his weapon was harmless, and he denies having pulled the trigger. An assertion questioned by many experts.
The 65-year-old actor, who is also the film’s co-producer, is currently under judicial supervision. In particular, he is prohibited from drinking alcohol and using firearms or dangerous weapons. Like him, the film’s gunsmith, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, is also charged with manslaughter. If found guilty, the two defendants risk up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Halyna Hutchins’ widower as executive producer
At the end of March, the film’s first assistant director, Dave Halls, received a six-month suspended prison sentence. It was he who had handed the gun at the heart of the drama to Alec Baldwin, assuring him that she was not dangerous, and he had agreed to plead guilty.
Filming on the film is set to resume with Halyna Hutchins’ widower, Matthew, serving as executive producer. In October, he dropped his civil lawsuit against Alec Baldwin after an undisclosed settlement. The Ukrainian parents and the sister of the ex-director of photography, on the other hand, are still claiming civil damages.