Rust is continuing with Alec Baldwin in lead role despite actor facing jail sentence
Topics: Alec Baldwin, Film and TV, Celebrity
Ali Condon
Featured Image Credit: MediaPunch Inc/Zuma Press/Alamy Stock Photo
Topics: Alec Baldwin, Film and TV, Celebrity
The film Rust is set to continue production with Alec Baldwin despite the actor being charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Last week, Alec was charged over the accidental death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who had been working on the the Western film when a prop gun held by Baldwin was discharged on set.
Director Joel Souza was also wounded in the shooting, though no charges have been filed regarding this incident.
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Speaking to CNN, Melina Spadone, an attorney for Rust Movie Productions, LLC, confirmed that the film was 'on track to be completed with Mr Baldwin in the lead role and Joel Souza as director.'
Listing out some of the updated safety measures, Ms Spadone explained that the Rust crew would have 'on-set safety supervisors and union crew members, and will bar any use of working weapons or any ammunition'.
An initial investigation into Ms Hutchin's death sparked accusations of negligence on set, with New Mexico Environment Department fining producers over $136,000.
Alec Baldwin has filed a separate lawsuit against a number of people who were working on the film, including Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the film's armourer, who has also been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter.
Assistant director David Halls, who is also being sued by Baldwin, has already pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.
If convicted, both Alec and Hannah could face up to 18 months in jail as well as a $5,000 fine.
The actor has maintained that he 'didn't pull the trigger' on the film set.
"Someone put a live bullet in the gun, a bullet that wasn’t even supposed to be on the property," he said in an interview with ABC News.
Following the charges made against Alec, the actor's lawyer Luke Nikas called the charges a 'terrible miscarriage of justice'.
The attorney commented: "Mr Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun - or anywhere on the movie set.
"He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win."
Meanwhile, prosecutor Mary Carmack-Altwies has pointed the finger directly at Alec Baldwin, adding that although the death may have been accidental, the actor 'doesn't get a free pass' because he's a celebrity.