Alec Baldwin settles with the son of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins

Alec Baldwin has settled with Halyna Hutchins’ son after Rust’s cameraman was shot dead on set.

She died when a Colt .45 pistol was accidentally loaded with a live bullet and shot at her by the actor, 65, in October 2021.

Her husband Matthew Hutchins filed a wrongful death lawsuit in February 2022 alleging that the couple’s pre-teen son, Andros Hutchins, acted recklessly and contributed to her being fatally shot.

This was settled last October and the settlement has now been approved by the court, meaning the family will be compensated for her death.

A judge ruled that the settlement was in the best interests of Andros, who was nine years old when his mother died.

The settlement was structured in part to compensate the child and the proceedings have been kept confidential.

The court has appointed a guardian ad litem as his lawyer and they have drawn up a sealed report.

Part of the settlement will be reserved for Hutchins’ son, and he will be granted access when he turns 18 and 22, the judges said.

District Court Judge Bryan Biedscheid wrote, “The Settlement … is fair, appropriate, and in the best interest of Andros Hutchins, a minor, protected person.”

Hutchins’ husband Matthew became an executive producer on the western film, which resumed in Montana in May.

He released a statement last year when the settlement was reached, saying, “We have reached a settlement, subject to court approval, for our wrongful death lawsuit against Rust’s producers, including Alec Baldwin and Rust Movie Productions, LLC. As part of that settlement, our case will be dismissed.

“I have no interest in accusations or attribution of blame (to the producers or Mr. Baldwin).

“We all believe that Halyna’s death was a terrible accident. I’m grateful that the producers and the entertainment community have come together to pay tribute to Halyna’s latest work.”

Prosecutors in New Mexico dropped an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin on April 21, and he returned to the film’s set the next day.

But special prosecutors Jason Lewis and Kari Morrissey said in a statement: “This decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal guilt and the charges may be retried.”

Baldwin took to social media on May 22 to mark the end of production on his movie Rust.

Finishing up work on the film, he shared a photo of co-stars Frances Fisher, 71, and Patrick Scott McDermott, 14, in costume on the set of the Western.

“Last day of filming for RUST in Montana,” Baldwin captioned the shot. “Sorry I didn’t get to work with this living legend, the great @francesfisher. Patrick, I envy you.’

Baldwin said “it’s been a long and hard road” to make the film, about a year and a half after the fatal shooting, “but we’re reaching the end of the road today.”

Baldwin congratulated the film’s director Joel Souza, who was also shot in the incident; as well as Bianca Cline, who replaced Hutchins in cinematographer when production resumed, as well as “the entire cast and crew.”

The actor said it was “nothing short of a miracle” that filming on the movie ended, more than a year and a half after Hutchins’ shooting, followed by a number of legal troubles and considerable skepticism that the project would cause. ahead.

Filming on the movie began on October 6, 2021 in New Mexico, but was postponed indefinitely two weeks later after a prop gun belonging to Baldwin discharged, injuring Souza and killing Hutchins.

Baldwin would eventually be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter, in New Mexico, but the criminal charges against Baldwin were dropped in April and he returned to the set to film his scenes in Montana the next day.

Baldwin and other Rust producers settled a wrongful death lawsuit brought by Hutchins’ widower Matthew Hutchins in October 2022.

The team also agreed to complete the film with Hutchins as executive producer, and Cline completed his late wife’s work as cinematographer.

On Monday, May 15, the Oscar-nominated actor announced he was wrapping up Rust in an Instagram post that pictured him alongside McDermott.

Last day on the set of RUST with this guy. A very talented actor and beautiful young man with a bright future ahead of him. My love to you, @patrickscottmcdermott,” he wrote.

Showing off a freshly shaved face later that day, Baldwin wrote in the caption, “God, it felt good to shave off that beard…”

During the final rounds of shooting, the New York native shared photos taken on set, including a couple with his young co-star Easton Malcolm, whom he dubbed “the next Brad Pitt” in an April 30 post.

“Saying goodbye to my co-star EASTON MALCOLM wasn’t easy,” Baldwin shared the next day. “Thanks, Brett, for sharing it with us. We love you, Easton.’

In the western, Baldwin plays notorious outlaw Harland Rust, who comes out of hiding to save his 13-year-old grandson from being hanged for murder.