Alec Baldwin’s Rust Starts Filming Again After On-Set Tragedy

After a tragic incident that resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, the production of Alec Baldwin’s Western movie Rust resumed filming on Thursday, following an 18-month hiatus.

Despite being charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter, Alec Baldwin will still star in the film.

New Filming Protocol

The production team has shifted the filming location to Montana, where principal photography will begin anew, with strict safety protocols in place.

Melina Spadone, a legal representative for Rust Movie Productions, stated that the use of any working weapons and ammunition will be strictly prohibited, including live ammunition, which was always banned on the set.

Bianca Cline will take on the role of cinematographer, replacing the late Halyna Hutchins, while Joel Souza, who got injuries during a shooting in New Mexico, is returning as director for Alec Baldwin’s Western movie Rust.

Matthew, the husband of Halyna Hutchins, will serve as an executive producer, while Baldwin, the lead actor, will also be a producer for the film.

Rust Movie Productions announced in February that the scene in which Hutchins was shot had been rewritten, and the company also added that Cline, known for her work on American Horror Story and Marcel the Shell With Shoes On, will donate her salary to charity while “completing Halyna’s vision for the film.”

In February, Souza stated: “Though bittersweet, I am grateful that a brilliant and dedicated new production team joining former cast and crew are committed to completing 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.”

Background Story

Last October, while rehearsing a scene at a ranch near Santa Fe, New Mexico, Alec Baldwin accidentally fired a “prop” gun, causing the death of the 42-year-old cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was born in Ukraine.

Last month, the Santa Fe District Attorney’s office charged both Baldwin and the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, with involuntary manslaughter, but both have denied any wrongdoing and plan to fight the charges in court.

I’m told Alec Baldwin’s film Rust will resume shooting today. When told that they were going to begin shooting, Baldwin reportedly said, “Who?” pic.twitter.com/u1iZULve7F

— Trashcan Jack, Mexican Peckerwood (@Trashcan_Jack) April 20, 2023

Baldwin’s lawyer, Luke Nikas, denounced the decision to charge the actor as “a terrible miscarriage of justice,” claiming that Baldwin had no reason to suspect that the gun contained a live round.

“He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds,” Nikas said. A preliminary hearing is scheduled to take place in Santa Fe in early May to determine if there is enough evidence to proceed with a trial.