According to Deadline, Alec Baldwin and the family of Halyna Hutchins, a cinematographer who died on the set of the 2021 film “Rust,” have struck an undisclosed settlement in their wrongful death case against the actor and others.
The complaint, brought in February in Santa Fe against Baldwin, the movie’s production firms, its producers, and other important crew members, claimed many violations of industry standards.
A part of the movie’s proceeds will go to Matthew Hutchins, the husband of Halyna Hutchins, who was slain on the shoot, who will also serve as executive producer.
“We have negotiated a settlement in our wrongful death lawsuit against Rust’s creators, Alec Baldwin and Rust Movie Productions, LLC, which is still awaiting court clearance. Our case will be dismissed as a result of that agreement. With all the original main cast members present, Rust will start production in January 2023. I will now serve as executive producer. Recriminations or assigning blame are not something I’m interested in doing (to the producers or Mr. Baldwin). We all agree that Halyna’s death was an awful accident. I appreciate that the producers and the entertainment industry have united to honour Halyna’s final project, Hutchins said in a statement.
“Everyone has remained committed to doing what is best for Halyna’s son during this challenging journey. Alec Baldwin’s lawyer, Luke Nikas of Quinn Emanuel, issued a statement saying, “We are thankful to everyone who helped to the settlement of this unfortunate and painful circumstance.
Joel Souza, the director of the picture, who was also hurt during the production, is anticipated to return to it. “Those of us who had the good fortune to spend time with Halyna knew that she was an extraordinarily gifted, compassionate, creative, and a source of tremendous positive energy. I just wish she had been introduced to the world under different circumstances, as she undoubtedly would have done so via her incredible work. Any choice to return to complete the film’s direction could only make sense for me in terms of my personal healing if it involved Matt and the Hutchins family. I’m glad that we can finish what Halyna and I started, even if it is undoubtedly bittersweet. I’ll put everything I’ve got into this movie to make Halyna proud and carry on her legacy. To see this through on her behalf is a privilege, Souza added in the statement.
We are glad that the parties were able to address this issue, which, subject to court approval, represents a significant step in celebrating Halyna’s life and honouring her work, according to Rust Movie Productions, LLC, represented by Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman attorney Spadone.
Additionally, it was alleged in the lawsuit that the production companies and producers “cut corners” and “chose to hire the cheapest crew available,” citing in particular how they “knowingly hired a wholly unqualified armourer” and required her to split time in a second role as assistant props master.
