The family of Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer who was shot and killed on the set of the movie “Rust” last year, has reached a settlement in the wrongful death lawsuit filed earlier this year against the movie’s producers, including Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin.
The settlements were announced in statements reported by Deadline. As part of the agreement, Halyna’s widower, Matthew Hutchins, will executive-produce “Rust,” which will reportedly return to production in January 2023 with the original cast.
“We have reached a settlement, subject to court approval, for our wrongful death case against the producers of Rust, including Alec Baldwin and Rust Movie Productions, LLC. As part of that settlement, our case will be dismissed,” Hutchins said Wednesday morning.
“The filming of Rust, which I will now executive-produce, will resume with all the original principal players on board in January 2023,” he added.
Halyna Hutchins, 42, was killed on Oct. 21, 2021, while preparing to film a scene at the Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe, New Mexico. Authorities said the film crew was setting a scene when Baldwin pulled the trigger on an old-fashioned gun in his hands. The bullet went through Hutchins’ torso and also hit film director Joel Souza. Hutchins died of her injury.
The wrongful death lawsuit accused Baldwin and the other film producers of reckless conduct and aggressive cost-cutting measures that endangered the crew and led to Hutchins’ death.
But after the settlement, her husband said her death was a “tragic accident.”
“I have no interest in engaging in recriminations or attribution of blame,” Hutchins said. “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.”
Rust Movie Productions LLC released a statement through its attorney on the settlement: “We are pleased the parties came together to resolve this matter, which, subject to court approval, marks an important step forward in celebrating Halyna’s life and honoring her work.”
In a statement, Souza remembered Hutchins as an “exceedingly talented, kind, creative, and a source of incredible positive energy.”
“I only wish the world had gotten to know her under different circumstances, as it surely would have through her amazing work. In my own attempts to heal, any decision to return to finish directing the film could only make sense for me if it was done with the involvement of Matt and the Hutchins family. Though certainly bittersweet, I am pleased that together, we will now complete what Halyna and I started. My every effort on this film will be devoted to honoring Halyna’s legacy and making her proud. It is a privilege to see this through on her behalf.”
An attorney for Alec Baldwin added: “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.”
Baldwin gave his own statement on Instagram Wednesday morning.
“We are pleased to announce today the settlement of the civil case filed on behalf of the family of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins,” Baldwin 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.”
The Santa Fe sheriff’s office has not charged anyone related to the shooting incident.