New 'Rust' Cinematographer Spotted On Set With Alec Baldwin In Montana

The new “Rust” cinematographer has been seen on set with actor Alec Baldwin only eighteen months after the gun he was holding misfired, striking and killing then-cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

The new cinematographer is Bianca Cline, who is best known for her work on “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On.” She is reportedly dating her salary in honor of the late Hutchins and has the “blessing and support” of Hutchins’ husband, Matthew Hutchins.

Matthew will serve as executive producer on “Rust” as part of his October 2022 settlement; however, the lawsuit filed by Halyna’s parents and sister remains active and ongoing, as does the criminal case against Alec Baldwin.

Only days ago, TMZ obtained photos and videos that showed two men hauling Alec Baldwin up the stairs to where a noose had been constructed. In another video, a burlap sack was placed around Baldwin's head while the noose was fitted around his neck.

The photos don't actually show the actor making a short drop and a sudden stop, so fans don't quite know if Baldwin's character lives or dies in this scene. However, other photos show that the 65-year-old actor looks to have taken a bullet wound in his stomach, so either way, the odds of survival for Baldwin's character - a grandfather and outlaw named Harland Rust.

Also spotted on set with Baldwin is the new cinematographer, Bianca Cline. The cinematographer is reportedly donating her salary to charity, in a press release put out by "Rust" producers. Melina Spadone, a spokesperson for Rust Movie Productions LLC. has also stated that working weapons will not be used on set this time around. She also emphasized that live ammunition was, is, and always has been, banned on set.

“I’ve said it, and I’m going to say it every single time: There are no weapons on set,” Gerard DiNardi, the film’s assistant director, reportedly assured the crew in a statement by The New York Times. “There is nothing that fires. There are a lot of facsimiles of weapons, from rubber to replicas.”

Baldwin was also photographed holding a shotgun on the prop set, making sure to hand it to a cast member handle first, although it sounds like it was just a replica and not a working firearm. The "30 Rock" actor was also photographed struggling to mount a horse last week, requiring the assistance of at least half a dozen crew members to climb onto the horse.

On Friday, April 21, “Rust” special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis officially dropped the two counts of involuntary manslaughter Baldwin was facing for the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021. However, they dismissed the charges without prejudice, which means they can still be refiled at any time.

The preliminary trial against Baldwin was supposed to be held on May 3, but apparently, the two new "Rust" prosecutors - who were only brought onto the case the month before - felt that it wasn't enough time to properly prepare a convincing case against the actor, especially considering new evidence that Baldwin might not have pulled the trigger after all.

“Over the last few days and in preparation for the May 3, 2023, preliminary hearing, new facts were revealed that demand further investigation and forensic analysis in the case against Alexander ‘Alec’ Rae Baldwin, III," the two prosecutors said in a joint statement. "Consequently, we cannot proceed under the current time constraints and on the facts and evidence turned over by law enforcement in its existing form."

"We therefore will be dismissing the involuntary manslaughter charges against Mr. Baldwin to conduct further investigation. This decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled," they continued, adding, "Our follow-up investigation will remain active and on-going.”

However, the charges against "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed have not been dropped. Her preliminary hearing has been postponed until August as the prosecutors continue their investigation into the fatal shooting. She is facing two counts of involuntary manslaughter.

First assistant director David Halls was sentenced to six months probation after pleading guilty to negligent handling of a firearm.