A A new lawsuit filed by three former Rust crew members claims that Alec Baldwin and the film’s producers failed to follow safety rules, ignored warning signs and rushed the film to completion , resulting in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, injuries to director Joel Souza, and “blast injuries” to the three plaintiffs.
Former crew members, Ross Addiego, the dolly operator; Doran Curtin, the set designer; and Reese Price, the key draw, said they have suffered anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms because of Hutchins’ shooting and death. The three plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages for injuries suffered on set, “including but not limited to hearing loss, temporary deafness and vibratory shock,” the lawsuit said.
ALEC BALDWIN PLEA’S NOT GUILTY TO INVOLUNTARY HOMICIDE, WAIVES FIRST COURT APPEARANCE
Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where actor Alec Baldwin pulled the trigger on a prop gun while filming Rust and inadvertently killed a cinematographer and injured a director.
(Jae C. Hong/AP)
The plaintiffs were in the church building where Hutchins was shot and killed in October 2021. Baldwin has denied pulling the trigger, but prosecutors have charged him with involuntary manslaughter for firing the gun as he pointed at Hutchins. He has pleaded not guilty.
“The negligent and reckless conduct of Alec Baldwin and the production of Rust cannot be excused,” Jacob G. Vigil, legal counsel for the three former crew members, said in a statement, per Fox News.
The lawsuit also states, “These injuries were caused by the defendants’ failure to follow industry safety standards. The defendants cut corners; they ignored reports of multiple discharges of unscripted firearms; and persist, they rushed and understaffed to finish the film.” In addition to Baldwin, the named defendants are Rust Movie Productions, LLC and El Dorado Pictures.
The lawsuit claims Hutchins fell to the ground right in front of Curtin. “He watched in shock as Hutchins grabbed his abdomen. Plaintiff Curtin put her hands on Hutchins’ stomach, trying to find the source of Hutchins’ pain and figure out what was going on. As the chaos continued, Plaintiff Curtin was ejected from the church. Once outside, he collapsed from the effects of the explosion and the shock of the shooting,” the suit says, per Variety.
The plaintiffs also allege that the film’s producers cut corners and tried to rush production, while Baldwin allegedly failed to pay attention during weapons training.
In the involuntary manslaughter case against Baldwin, he initially faced a minimum sentence of five years if convicted. However, his lawyers were able to argue that the district attorney had illegally charged him under a firearms law that was not in effect in October 2021 at the time it occurred the shooting Now, the actor only faces a maximum of 18 months in prison if convicted.
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It was reported that Rust would resume filming in the spring with a different backdrop. Instead of New Mexico, production would move to Yellowstone Film Ranch in Montana, according to the film’s producers.
Baldwin remains an actor in the film as well as a producer.
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