Alec Baldwin Just Got Sued Again
Alec Baldwin is now being sued by Rust crewmembers for negligence and emotional distress.
Alec Baldwin is facing a new legal battle. While making the Western film Rust in 2021, Alec Baldwin accidentally discharged a firearm, resulting in the death of the film’s cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins. According to TMZ, a trio of crew members present at the scene are suing Alec Baldwin ahead of the actor’s trial in another lawsuit.
Ross Addiego, Doran Curtin, and Reese Price claim to be three of seven people on set when the shooting occurred. They are suing Alec Baldwin and Rust Movie Productions, the legal entity producing the movie, for negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress on the grounds that a pattern of irresponsibility led to the tragedy. A police report confirmed that multiple firearm misfires occurred before the incident that took the life of Hutchins.
Ignored safety protocols and reckless decision-making allegedly marred the production. The trio filing the lawsuit spoke of the decision by Alec Baldwin and the production to use functioning firearms instead of prop weapons and the choice to ignore previous accidental discharges. They also criticized the hiring of armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who they claim was inexperienced to the point of being dangerous.
Before the fatal incident, the firearm passed through the hands of Gutierrez-Reed, crew member Dave Hall, and Alec Baldwin without being properly checked, apparently due to time constraints. The bypassing of safety protocols at multiple levels spreads the blame across an array of individuals, complicating the legal proceedings.
The latest lawsuit against Alec Baldwin joins a host of other legal battles for the actor and Rust Movie Productions, including lawsuits from other crew members, Hutchins’ husband, and her parents. Charges against Baldwin in New Mexico were recently downgraded to a single count of involuntary manslaughter, reducing the sentence at stake from five years in prison to 18 months. Gutierrez-Reed faces the same charge.
As the Alec Baldwin trial looms, Rust is gearing up to resume production this spring in Montana under the supervision of new safety officers. The production will discontinue the use of functioning firearms. Alec Baldwin will resume his leading role.
The filmmakers involved hope to honor the legacy of Halyna Hutchins by completing her vision for Rust. Cinematographer Bianca Cline will finish the project in Hutchins’ place. A documentary about the completion of the film will be shot alongside the movie’s production to highlight the crew members at work on the film, the legacy of Halyna Hutchins, and the importance of safety on film sets.
Rust follows the story of two orphaned brothers on the run with their estranged outlaw grandfather in the late 1800s. In addition to Alec Baldwin, the film stars Travis Fimmel, Jensen Ackles, Frances Fisher, and Brady Noon. A release date for the film has not yet been announced.
The Rust incident is a cautionary tale that will likely haunt the film industry and all involved for years to come. As the film heads toward completion, the Alec Baldwin trial is gearing up to begin. The outcome of the legal proceedings will surely have a profound impact on the life and legacy of the actor and the film industry.
