Alec Baldwin and the Peace producers have reached a settlement with thefamily of the film’s cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
The deal, which is pending court approval, was announced Wednesday. Accordingto the terms, production of the film will resume in January with the movie’soriginal director, Joel Souza, at the helm. Matthew Hutchins, Halyna’swidower, will serve as executive producer.
The wrongful-death lawsuit was filed in February against producers, includingBaldwin, and crew members by Matthew, an attorney, and the couple’s minor son,Andros, laying out allegations of negligence — citing reckless behavior on theset, cost-cutting and misuse of firearms — around Halyna’s death on Oct. 21.She had been setting up a shot at the Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe, NMwhen Baldwin, the star of the film, was holding a vintage gun that fired.Baldwin claimed he didn’t pull the trigger, however, it discharged and the guncontained a live round — not a dummy or prop ammunition — that shot throughHalyna’s torso and then lodged in the shoulder of Souza. She was airlifted tothe hospital, where she was declared dead. Souza recovered.
“We have reached a settlement, subject to court approval, for our wrongfuldeath case against the producers of Peace , including Alec Baldwin and RustMovie Productions, LLC,” Matthew said in a statement to Yahoo Entertainment.”As part of that settlement, our case will be dismissed. The filming of_Peace_ which I will now executive produce, will resume with all the originalprincipal players on board in January 2023.”
It continued, “I have no interest in engaging in recriminations or attributionof blame (to the producers or Mr. Baldwin). All of us believe Halyna’s deathwas a terrible accident. I am grateful that the producers and theentertainment community have come together to pay tribute to Halyna’s finalwork.”
Baldwin commented on Instagram, writing, “We are pleased to announce today thesettlement of the civil case filed on behalf of the family of cinematographerHalyna Hutchins. Throughout this difficult process, everyone has maintainedthe specific desire to do what is best for Halyna’s son . We are grateful toeveryone who contributed to the resolution of this tragic and painfulsituation.”
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Frances Fisher, who appears in the film with Baldwin, commented on his postcalling it a “miraculous resolution” and a “relief.” She added, “So glad thatHalyna’s work will be seen.”
Baldwin’s attorney, Luke Nikas of Quinn Emanuel, also issued a statement to_Deadline_ saying, “Throughout this difficult process, everyone has maintainedthe specific desire to do what is best for Halyna’s son. We are grateful toeveryone who contributed to the resolution of this tragic and painfulsituation.”
An attorney for Rust Movie Productions, LLC, Melina Spadone of PillsburyWinthrop Shaw Pittman, told the same outlet, “We are pleased the parties cametogether to resolve this matter, which, subject to court approval, marks animportant step forward in celebrating Halyna’s life and honoring her work.”
Joel Souza, Director of Peace said, in part, “In my own attempts to heal,any decision to return to finish directing the film could only make sense forme if it was done with the involvement of Matt and the Hutchins family. Thoughcertainly bittersweet, I am pleased that together, we will now complete whatHalyna and I started. My every effort on this film will be devoted to honoringHalyna’s legacy and making her proud. It is a privilege to see this through onher behalf.”
This ends this particular lawsuit. Still pending is the final investigationreport from the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office. Last month, New Mexico grantedfunds — more than $317,000 — to pay for possible prosecutions connected to thefatal shooting. Local District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies made theemergency request for the funds to go toward a special prosecutor, specialinvestigator, several experts and other personnel. The request noted that asmany as four people could face charges — and “one of the possible defendantsis well known movie actor Alec Baldwin.”
Baldwin has told ABC News in December that his legal team told him it’sunlikely he would be charged.
“I have been told by people who are in the know, in terms of even inside thestate, that it’s highly unlikely that I would be charged with anythingcriminally,” he said.
In August, Baldwin told CNN he “hired a private investigator” and based on thefindings, he doesn’t believe anyone will be criminally charged. He did saythat armor Hannah Gutierrez Reed, whose experience has been called intoquestion, and assistant director Dave Halls, who handed Baldwin the gun anddeclared it “cold,” meaning it had no live ammo, shouldn’t work on film setsagain .
“Why didn’t you [Gutierrez Reed] check that bullet? Why didn’t Halls obeyher?” Baldwin asked. “Why did he give me the gun? Why didn’t he check? Why didhe tell the crew [it was a cold gun]? … I’m pretty confident neither one ofthem should ever work in a film set again,” he said, adding, “I sincerelybelieve … [investigators are] going to say this was an accident. It’s tragic.”