“Rust” Never Sleeps: Alec Baldwin Settles with Halyna Hutchins’ Husband, Deal for Him to Exec Produce and Finish Unwanted Film

Here’s a Hollywood ending you didn’t expect.

Alec Baldwin has announced that the producers of “Rust” — meaning including him — have settled financially with the husband of the woman who was killed on the set a year ago. Baldwin accidentally shot to death cinematographer Halyna Hutchins with a gun he didn’t know was loaded.

According to reports, the settlement includes resumption of filming “Rust” with Hutchins’ husband, Matthew, as executive producer. So he will share in the profits of the finished movie that claimed his wife’s life.

This is so tasteless and absurd, I’m actually flummoxed. In the post-Trump world, there is no bottom that can be reached.

Baldwin writes on Instagram: “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.”

“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,” said Matthew Hutchins, husband of the late Halyna Hutchins said this morning.

“The filming of Rust, which I will now executive produce, will resume with all the original principal players on board in January 2023,” says Matthew Hutchins..

“I have no interest in engaging in recriminations or attribution of blame (to the producers or Mr. Baldwin),” he added, “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.”   

These people are rationalizing a financial arrangement. It’s not like they’re making “The Godfather.” “Rust” is a low budget, forgettable film that no one wants to see except as a morbid curiosity. But it seems that even Hutchins had his price. Sold!