Douglas Stewart will rejoin Alec Baldwin in Rust (Picture: Douglas Stewart/Tom Brahl/Backgrid)
Rust actor Douglas Stewart is happy to resume work on Rust after Halyna Hutchins’ family gave their blessing.
The cinematographer died aged 42 in October 2021 after Alec Baldwin accidentally discharged a gun on the movie’s New Mexico set, and she was later pronounced dead after being hit with a live round from the gun.
Baldwin recently reached a settlement with her family, including husband Matthew Hutchins, which will see the film resume in January 2023 with the original cast, and her widower serving as executive producer.
Speaking to TMZ about the decision, Douglas admitted he has ‘mixed feelings emotionally’, but he supports the idea of finishing the film ‘in an appropriate way’.
He added: ‘I think the largest hurdle is hearing from Halyna’s husband and his willingness to do this. That’s probably all I need to say, “OK, then it’s fine”, because he lost a great treasure, the movie industry lost a great talent.
‘If the family feels that this is going to be something to help them emotionally – and more importantly, memorialise his wife and the son’s mother, then I think that’s probably a good thing.
Halyna Hutchins died aged 42 in October 2021 (Picture: Fred Hayes/Getty Images for SAGindie)
The original cast of Rust are expected to return to filming (Picture: @alecbaldwin, Instagram)
‘It’s not my choice to decide on what I really feel about it. I’m just a small player.’
Douglas – who plays the town father in the Western film – admitted as a dad himself, it’s a delicate situation.
‘There was a lot of people that benefited from the movie, a lot of actors that would’ve liked to see it continue,’ he said. ‘I have a daughter so I have mixed emotions.’
Alec Baldwin has maintained the incident was an accident (Picture: Reuters)
The original cast, which included Baldwin, Jensen Ackles and Frances Fisher, are expected to resume their roles.
In a statement lats week, Hutchins’ husband Matthew said: ‘We have reached a settlement, subject to court approval, for our wrongful death case against the producers of Rust, including Alec Baldwin and Rust Movie Productions, LLC. As part of that settlement, our case will be dismissed.’
He continued: ‘The filming of Rust, which I will now executive produce, will resume with all the original principal players on board in January 2023.
‘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.’
Baldwin has always maintained that it was an accident and that he thought the gun was ‘cold’, meaning there is no live round present.
He said in his own statement: ‘We are pleased to announce today the settlement of the civil case filed on behalf of the family of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
‘Throughout this difficult process, everyone has maintained the specific desire to do what is best for Halyna’s son. We are grateful to everyone who contributed to the resolution of this tragic and painful situation.’
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MORE : Alec Baldwin claims ‘everyone on Rust set knows who to blame for Halyna Hutchins’ death’
Filming will resume in 2023.
