Alec Baldwin and the production company for the film Rust have reached a settlement with the family of Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer who was fatally shot on set.
Following the agreement, filming of Rust will resume in January 2023 – with Ms Hutchins‘ husband Matthew executive producing, he said in a statement.
The cinematographer died after a prop gun held by Baldwin was discharged during rehearsals for the western film in New Mexico in October 2021, and her family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the star and others who worked on the production earlier this year.
In a statement, Mr Hutchins said a settlement had now been reached, subject to court approval, and that as part of the agreement the case would be dismissed.
“The filming of Rust, which I will now executive produce, will resume with all the original principal players on board in January 2023,” he said. “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.”
Baldwin’s attorney, Luke Nikas of Quinn Emanuel, said: “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.”
In an on-camera interview a few weeks after the fatal shooting, Baldwin recalled the moments leading up to the tragedy. He said he was handed the revolver and told “this is a cold gun” – an industry term meaning it was either empty or loaded with dummy rounds.
