‘Rust’ To Resume Filming This Spring With Alec Baldwin

Actor Alec Baldwin and “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed have been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter for the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

First assistant David Halls pled guilty to the charge of the negligent use of a weapon and is now expected to be called as a witness.

Even though the first hearing for all three parties is scheduled for later this month, "Rust" producers are charging ahead with their plan to resume filming.

On Tuesday, The Hollywood Reporter was the first to share the news that the Western film was expected to resume production this spring with a "mix of new and old crew members." Star and producer Alec Baldwin is expected to return to his role, despite the criminal charges against him.

The late cinematographer Halyna Hutchins will be replaced by Bianca Cline, who has worked on "America Horror Story" and "Marcel the Shell With Shoes On." Melina Spadone, a lawyer for Rust Movie Productions, told THR that the scene where Halyna Hutchins was shot has been rewritten.

According to Rust Movie Productions, Cline will donate her salary to charity and has Matthew Hutchins' "blessing and support."

The film had originally planned to start filming again in January 2023, switching locations from New Mexico to California. It's unknown if the difficulty in securing locations or if the criminal charges were the reason for the delay.

The news that "Rust" was scheduled to resume filming was first announced last year. Halyna's husband, Matthew Hutchins, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against producers, including Alec Baldwin, in February 2022. By October, a settlement was reached, which involved Matt being named as an executive producer of the film.

In addition to Hutchins, Grant Hill and Stephen Marinaccio will also now serve as producers on the film, according to Spadone. The film set is also welcoming two new crew members, which include safety officers Gary Jensen and Paul Jordan of Tenet Production Safety and production designer Christine Brandt.

The new film set will reportedly feature "enhanced on-set safety protocols, including safety supervisors and a prohibition against any working weapons or ammunition." Live ammunition has been banned from the film set.

Actor Jensen Ackles, who is best known for his role on the hit CW series "Supernatural" is expected to resume filming. Travis Fimmel and Frances Fisher are also expected to reprise their roles when filming resumes production.

Spadone told THR that Alec Baldwin still has scenes to film, but did not explain how the criminal charges against him might impact production. Spadone said that all of Rust's original producers are also expected to return.

As per THR, they include Ryan Donnell Smith and Allen Cheney of Thomasville Pictures, Nathan Klingher and Ryan Winterstein of Short Porch Pictures, Anjul Nigam of Brittany House Pictures, Matthew Delpiano of Calvary Media and Gabrielle Pickle, Ryan Dennett-Smith and Katherine Walters of 3rd Shift Media.

Stunt coordinator Allan Graf, costume designer Terese Davis, make-up department head Stacy Lockhart, and hair department head Anna Williams are also expected to return alongside director Joel Souza, who was also injured when he was struck by the same bullet that killed Halyna Hutchins.

“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,” Souza said in a statement. “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.”

At this time, it is unclear if Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will return as the film's armorer and prop master. Since the film is no longer using working weapons, an ammunition supplier is no longer necessary.

Spadone wanted to make it clear that the production has been cleared by all of Hollywood's unions and guilds, allowing members to work on the movie. Spadone also said that additional crew members will be hired as principal photography approaches.