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‘Rust’ criminal probe will continue, DA says, after Baldwin settles suit

Nearly a year after cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed on the film set of “Rust” in an incident involving a prop gun fired by producer and actor Alec Baldwin in New Mexico, the Hutchins family and Baldwin have reached an undisclosed settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit.

As part of the settlement, filming will resume next year on the low-budget Western with the cinematographer’s husband as executive producer, according to a statement from Hutchins.

Joel Souza, the director injured alongside Halyna, will also return to the project, he said. The case will be dismissed as part of the settlement, which is subject to court approval in New Mexico.

“The filming of Rust, which I will now executive produce, will resume with all the original principal players on board, in January 2023,” Matthew Hutchins said in a statement Wednesday. “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.”

Nonetheless, the resumption of “Rust” is sure to be controversial, and the DA said Wednesday her criminal review will proceed.

Hutchins’ death sent shock waves through the film industry, which is still grappling with how to respond. Hollywood has not seen a case like this since 2014, when Sarah Jones, a camera assistant, was killed during unauthorized filming on a train track in Georgia.

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2022-10-06T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-10-06T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://daily.gazette.com/article/281595244424552

The Gazette, Colorado Springs