‘Rust’ To Continue Filming Despite Alec Baldwin’s Manslaughter Charges

It seems the show must go on, even though the film's star, Alec Baldwin, was charged with manslaughter in the death of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

He wasn't the only one charged with her sudden death. Although the Santa Fe District Attorney's Office sought funding to prosecute as many as four individuals, only two will face criminal charges.

On Thursday morning, both the "30 Rock" actor and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed were charged with involuntary manslaughter. First assistant director Dave Halls has pleaded guilty to the charge of the negligent use of a deadly weapon.

Although the charges will formally be filed at the end of the month, Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed can face stiff penalties if convicted. They are each charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter.

The first charge is a fourth-degree felony that could result in up to eighteen months behind bars or a $5,000 fine. The second charge, which carries an additional firearm enhancement, could result in a maximum of five years behind bars.

Both seem ready to fight the charges and it seems that Baldwin and director Joel Souza, who was also injured in the shooting, are ready to finish what they started. A source told The New York Times, via PEOPLE, that the movie will resume production sometime this month, as scheduled. However, sources say that there will be updated safety measures in place, including a ban on live ammunition and working weapons.

As previously reported, the Western film is seeking a new location after previously filming in Mexico. Multiple locations in California have been considered, but it’s not clear whether any one location has been locked down for the film, which will see Halyna Hutchins’ husband, Matthew Hutchins, serve as executive producer.

In February 2022, the Hutchins family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Baldwin and other “Rust” producers. That civil suit was later settled in October 2022. Matthew Hutchins, who shared a 10-year-old son Andros with Halyna, agreed to serve as executive producer as part of its settlement.

In a statement given at the time of the settlement, Matthew Hutchins wrote, “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.”

Luke Nikas, a lawyer for Alec Baldwin, issued a statement, saying, "This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins' tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice. 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," Nikas continued. "We will fight these charges, and we will win."

The lawyer for Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, Jason Bowles, also released a statement, saying, “Hannah is, and has always been, very emotional and sad about this tragic accident. But she did not commit involuntary manslaughter.”

“These charges are the result of a very flawed investigation, and an inaccurate understanding of the full facts," Bowles added. "We intend to bring the full truth to light and believe Hannah will be exonerated of wrongdoing by a jury."

The social media account for Alec Baldwin, and his wife, Hilaria Baldwin, have been quiet since the charges were filed. However, the yoga instructor made a not-so-subtle statement when she stepped out on a coffee run.

She wore a bright green sweatshirt with the word “EMPATHY” written across the front in capital letters. She paired her bright green top with faux leather black leggings and open-toe sandals that had pearl ornamentation across the top.

His wife wasn't the only one to come to Baldwin's defense. SAG-AFTRA also released a statement following the charges, writing, "​The death of Halyna Hutchins is a tragedy, and all the more so because of its preventable nature. It is not a failure of duty or a criminal act on the part of any performer."