American actor Alec Baldwin announced Wednesday that he has reached an agreement with the family of the director of filming for the Western “Rust” film Helena Hutchins, who was killed in October 2021 by a shot from a pistol he was carrying, which accidentally wounded her during filming, in an accident that shook Hollywood.
In an Instagram post, the actor wrote that he was “grateful to everyone who contributed to the resolution of this tragic and painful issue.” The film will be re-produced in January 2023, according to a separate statement received by AFP.
The agreement drops the Hutchins family’s civil lawsuit against Baldwin.
The value of the agreement reached by the parties, which must be formally enshrined by a judge, has not been disclosed.
“I do not wish to press charges or identify culprits (whether the producer or Baldwin),” a statement issued by the production department of “Rust” quoted the late director of photography’s husband, Matthew Hutchins, as saying.
“We are all convinced that Halina’s death was the result of a terrible accident,” he added.
He indicated that filming will resume in January 2023 “with all the main participants,” explaining that he will take over the task of executive producer.
The incident occurred on October 21 on a farm in Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, when Alec Baldwin was using a weapon presented to him as loaded with chelated bullets, while rehearsing a scene with director of photography Helena Hutchins.
However, live bullets were fired from the pistol, killing Hutchins, 42, and wounding director Joel Sousa.
On Wednesday, Souza expressed his satisfaction with the resumption of filming the film.
“Although it is bittersweet at the same time, I am happy that together we will finish what Halina and I started. All my efforts in this film will be devoted to honoring the memory of Halina,” the statement quoted him as saying.
This incident had a very strong impact inside and outside the United States, which constantly witnesses deaths and injuries in accidents caused by firearms that many Americans keep. Hutchins’ murder prompted Hollywood studios to reconsider the terms and conditions of filming.
Last week, Helena Hutchins’ husband and son filed a civil complaint against the actor, accusing him of “risky behaviour”.
The family’s lawyer also considered that the austerity measures adopted by the actor and other producers of the low-budget Western film led to the murder of Halina Hutchins.
Several lawsuits were filed before the civil court against Baldwin, who also participated in the production of “Rust”, seeking compensation from those affected. But the 64-year-old actor, who played former President Donald Trump in a comic way on “Saturday Night Live”, regularly said that he was told by officials on the set that the pistol he used did not contain live ammunition, and that the victim, Helena Hutchins, asked him to shoot at direction, and that he did not pull the trigger when the fatal shot was fired.
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