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“Rust” is set to begin filming this week.
ET can confirm that the Western is set to resume principal photography Thursday at the Yellowstone Film Ranch.
“The production will continue to use union crew members and prohibit the use of work weapons and any form of ammunition,” Rust Movie Productions attorney Melina Spadone said Tuesday. “Live ammunition is – and always has been – prohibited on set.”
The news comes a year and a half after the fatal shooting of the film’s cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, and a series of legal issues for its star, Alec Baldwin. In January, he was charged with two counts of manslaughter after the gun he was holding on set discharged, killing Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza.
Baldwin has already officially pleaded not guilty to one count of manslaughter for his role in the fatal shooting.
In a statement to ET, the star’s attorney, Luke Nikas of Quinn Emanuel, said: “This decision distorts the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice. Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun – or anywhere on the set. He relied on the professionals he worked with, who assured him the gun had no live ammunition. We will fight these accusations and we will win.
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The following month, Santa Fe prosecutors dropped the firearms enhancement charge against the actor, resulting in only one manslaughter charge against him. The charge that was dropped – manslaughter in the commission of a lawful act – made the crime punishable by a mandatory five-year prison sentence due to the improved firearm. He has since pleaded not guilty to his remaining charge and has maintained he did not pull the trigger in the crash.
Like Baldwin, gunsmith “Rust” Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was also charged with manslaughter.
In October, Baldwin and Hutchins’ estate settled a wrongful death lawsuit against the actor. As part of the settlement, it was noted that “Rust” would resume filming with Hutchins’ husband Matthew Hutchins joining the production as an executive producer.
The 65-year-old actor and the film’s other main actors are due to return to set on Thursday when production resumes.
MORE ET:
Alec Baldwin’s Wife Hilaria Pens Birthday Message Amid ‘Rust’ Affair
Filming “Rust”: the assistant director sentenced to 6 months of probation
Alec Baldwin ‘Rust’ case: District attorney steps aside
