(Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
In October 2021, Alec Baldwin fatally shot cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, with a prop gun on the movie set of the film “Rust.” As we previously noted, Matt Hutchins, Halyna’s husband, is a corporate associate in the Los Angeles office of Latham & Watkins. The widower quickly lawyered up, hiring Panish Shea Boyle Ravipudi, an L.A.-based plaintiffs’ firm specializing in wrongful-death litigation. He officially filed suit last February.
It’s now being reported that Hutchins has reached a confidential settlement with Baldwin, the film’s production companies, its producers, and other key members of the crew. As part of the settlement, he will now serve as one of the film’s executive producers. Here’s a statement from Hutchins, via CNN:
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“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. The filming of Rust, which I will now executive produce, will resume with all the original principal players on board in January 2023. 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.”
Director Joel Souza, who was also injured in the shooting that led to Halyna’s death, said, “[A]ny 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.”
For those who wish to honor Halyna, a rising star in her industry, the American Film Institute has established a scholarship in her memory. Click here to make a donation. We at Above the Law continue to extend our condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Halyna and Matt Hutchins during this difficult time. We hope this settlement brings peace to the Hutchins family.
Alec Baldwin reaches settlement with Halyna Hutchins’ family [CNN]
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Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.