Alec Baldwin settled a lawsuit filed by family members of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins who was killed on the set of his movie “Rust,” reps from either side of the civil motion said Wednesday.
Hutchins, 42, was fatally shot and director Joel Souza, then 48, wounded within the Oct. 21, 2021, incident in Recent Mexico when a live round was discharged from a gun held by Baldwin, who shares screen and producer credits on the suspended movie.
The cinematographer’s family filed a lawsuit in February against Baldwin and others involved within the film, accusing them of reckless behavior and cost-cutting measures led to the tragedy.
“Throughout this difficult process, everyone has maintained the particular desire to do what’s best for Halyna’s son,” Baldwin’s attorney Luke Nikas said in an announcement. “We’re grateful to everyone who contributed to the resolution of this tragic and painful situation.”
Financial terms of the settlement weren’t released on Wednesday — though Hutchins’ widower has been named as an executive producer of “Rust” which is anticipated to resume filming in January.
“I even have no real interest in engaging in recriminations or attribution of blame (to the producers or Mr. Baldwin),” Matthew Hutchins said in statement.
“All of us consider Halyna’s death was a terrible accident. I’m grateful that the producers and the entertainment community have come together to pay tribute to Halyna’s final work.”
Souza said he’s agreed to resume his role as director.
“Those of us who were lucky enough to have hung out with Halyna knew her to be exceedingly talented, kind, creative, and a source of incredible positive energy,” Souza said in an announcement.
“I only wish the world had gotten to know her under different circumstances, because it surely would have through her amazing work.”
The director said he’s only returning to the “Rust” set with Matthew Hutchins’ blessing.
“In my very own attempts to heal, any decision to return to complete directing the film could only make sense for me if it was done with the involvement of Matt and the Hutchins family,” in keeping with Souza.
“Though actually bittersweet, I’m pleased that together, we’ll now complete what Halyna and I began. My every effort on this film shall be dedicated to honoring Halyna’s legacy and making her proud. It’s a privilege to see this through on her behalf.”
Any civil settlement, nevertheless, would not preclude prosecutors from pursing a case against anyone who could be criminally accountable for Hutchins’ death.
Earlier this month, the state’s Board of Finance approved a special $317,000 budget allocation to the office of First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies for a possible “Rust” prosecution.
The prosecutor said her office was prepared to press criminal charges against as many as 4 people, in keeping with an Aug. 30 letter she sent to the state requesting extra funding.
A rep for the prosecutor couldn’t be immediately reached for comment on Wednesday. A rep for the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, the law enforcement agency investigating the “Rust” shooting, declined comment.
The movie set’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was also named as a defendant within the estate’s lawsuit.
While a settlement has not yet been reached together with her, Gutierrez-Reed’s attorney Jason Bowles said his client is hopeful these out-of-court civil resolutions might point to a call against prosecution.
“Hannah is grateful that this settlement will profit the Hutchins family and that the parties were in a position to constructively resolve the civil lawsuit,” Bowles said in an announcement.
“We’re hopeful that the district attorney’s office may also recognize that a measure of Justice has been achieved with regard to this tragic accident, and that they are going to opt to not pursue criminal charges.”
Baldwin has maintained that he “didn’t pull the trigger” within the fatal shooting that rocked Hollywood and raised concerns about weapons on movie sets.
“Well, the trigger wasn’t pulled. I didn’t pull the trigger,” he told ABC News last 12 months. “No, no, no, I’d never point a gun at anyone and pull the trigger at them. Never.”
The investigation continues to be ongoing from the incident that took place nearly one 12 months ago at Bonanza Creek Ranch, in Santa Fe County.
