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'Rust' To Resume Filming With New Cinematographer
Halyna Hutchins' family is offering their "full support" of the production, as well as the making of a documentary about her life's work, according to a new press release.
Production on "Rust" is slated to resume in the spring, with a new cinematographer signing on after the death of Halyna Hutchins.
Cinematographer Bianca Cline, whose resume includes work on "Marcel the Shell With Shoes On" and "American Horror Story," has signed on to the project ahead of the new start date, Rust Movie Productions announced in a press release Tuesday. She replaces late cinematographer Hutchins, who died after a replica revolver Alec Baldwin was holding discharged while they were rehearsing the Western in New Mexico in October 2021.
Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed have both been charged with two counts each of involuntary manslaughter in connection to the incident, which has led to multiple lawsuits and prompted an investigation into the production.
RELATED: Halyna Hutchins' Parents And Sister Sue Alec Baldwin, 'Rust' Producers
Cline is said to have the "blessing and support" of Matthew Hutchins, Halyna's widower, who is now an executive producer on the film as part of a private settlement agreed upon last year. She intends to donate her salary to charity in Hutchins' honor.
Other newcomers to the project include Gary Jensen and Paul Jordan of Tenet Production Safety, who will help to ensure the implementation of enhanced on-set safety protocols.
"The production will continue to utilize union crew members and will bar any use of working weapons and any form of ammunition," the press release read. "Live ammunition is — and always was — prohibited on set."
Meanwhile, Baldwin — who has repeatedly insisted he did not pull the trigger — and director Joel Souza will return to the movie alongside all of the original cast members, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
"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," said Souza. "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."
The scene that was being rehearsed when a prop gun Baldwin was holding was discharged — wounding Souza and killing Hutchins — has been rewritten, Rust Movie Productions lawyer Melina Spadone told the outlet.
The completion of the movie will also be filmed as part of a documentary honoring Hutchins' work, with director Rachel Mason and producer Julee Metz leading the charge.
"Both Mason and Metz were close friends with Halyna, and they look forward to working with the production to honor their friend and show the brilliance and depth of Halyna’s talent while conveying what her loss has meant to her friends, colleagues and the entire film industry,” Rust Movie Productions said in the release.
While the documentary will largely focus on Hutchins' upbringing in Kyiv, Ukraine, it will also highlight the efforts to complete "Rust" as it was the final film she worked on prior to her death. "We embarked on this endeavor to shed light on Halyna’s life and to honor her achievements. We refuse to shy away from any aspect of this story, no matter how difficult — and if that includes the effort to complete Halyna’s final film, it is our duty to document the process," Metz told the Hollywood Reporter.
"The experience of those who are working to complete 'Rust' involves many hard decisions. As people who loved Halyna we hope to capture everything that we can in order to understand this incomprehensible situation in all its complexity," Metz continued.
This news comes on the heels of the Hutchins family suing Baldwin, producers and others in a wrongful death lawsuit alleging battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and loss of Consortium, as previously reported by Oxygen.com.
"It is clear to us that the relationships of all of our clients have been damaged, and that they will not be able to enjoy life in the same way as they did when their precious Halyna was alive,” attorney Gloria Allred said in statements provided to Oxygen.com. “Halyna was the light in their lives.”
Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed are due to appear in court later this month.
