According to US reports, production on the Western film Rust will pick back up this spring, with producer Alec Baldwin still playing the lead role.
It comes after Baldwin was accused of killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set and was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter.
The film's crew will be made up of both new and seasoned professionals, with Bianca Cline standing in for the late Ms. Hutchins.
A documentary about her has also received Matthew's approval, according to the filmmakers.
The documentary will examine Ms. Hutchins' life and "final work, including the completion of the film," they said, adding that it was produced "at [executive producer, Mr.] Hutchins' behest and with his blessing and support.".
When Ms. Hutchins was shot and killed in October 2021 on a ranch close to Sante Fe, New Mexico, Baldwin was practicing a scene for the movie Rust.
After the Hollywood star reached a settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit brought by Mr. Hutchins, the movie was expected to resume filming in January.
However, the Santa Fe District Attorney's office last month filed new charges of involuntary manslaughter against him and the movie's armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed.
Both parties' attorneys vehemently denied any wrongdoing and declared that they would challenge them in court.
Luke Nikas, the actor's attorney, referred to the decision to charge Mr. Baldwin as "a terrible miscarriage of justice.".
The statement made by Mr. Nikas was that "Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun or anywhere on the movie set.". He trusted the experts with whom he collaborated because they assured him the gun was empty of live rounds. These allegations will be fought and defeated by us. ".
Baldwin's company, Rust Movie Productions, announced on Tuesday that the scene in which Ms. Hutchins was shot has been revised and that "any use of working weapons and any form of ammunition" has been banned from the set.
According to the production company, Ms. Cline, whose work includes Marcel the Shell With Shoes On and American Horror Story, will now "complete Halyna's vision for the film" and donate her salary to a good cause.
Director Joel Souza, who was also hurt in the shooting, said in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter, "Though bittersweet, I am grateful that a brilliant and dedicated new production team joining former cast and crew are committed to finishing what Halyna and I started.
"I will give this movie everything I've got to honor Halyna's memory and make her proud. It is an honor to carry this out on her behalf. " .
Along with production designer Christine Brandt, safety officers Gary Jensen and Paul Jordan from Tenet Production Safety will participate in the performance.
The Santa Fe District Attorney's office filed two charges against Baldwin last month, the first of which calls for evidence of underlying negligence on Baldwin's part.
Due to a firearm enhancement, the second charge requires proof that there was more than simple negligence involved. If proven, the star could spend five years in prison.
Baldwin's attorneys asserted last week that the second charge was "illegal" because it was added after the incident and not before.
In a recent civil lawsuit against the actor and the production company, Ms. Hutchins' family members—her mother Olga Solovey, father Anatolii Androsovych, and sister Svetlana Zemko—sought damages for alleged battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and loss of consortium.
However, Mr. Baldwin has consistently denied any wrongdoing in the on-set shooting. He hasn't yet made a public response to that lawsuit.
