Alec Baldwin and the armorer on the set of Rust will face involuntary manslaughter charges in the 2021 shooting death of Halyna Hutchins; the 2023 Sundance Film Festival beings today; the Scream 6 trailer is out. All in today’s Movie News Rundown.
Hello From Sundance: I’m posted up here in Park City, Utah today, the opening day of Sundance 2023. This is the festival’s first year back in person since 2020. I can’t wait to see some amazing movies — stay tuned for both our in-person and virtual coverage this week.
Rust Developments: New Mexico prosecutors intend to charge actor Alec Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, with involuntary manslaughter regarding the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie Rust in 2021. “You should not point a gun at someone that you’re not willing to shoot,” the district attorney for Santa Fe County, Mary Carmack-Altwies, told The New York Times. “That goes to basic safety standards.” Baldwin handled the loaded gun that killed Hutchins and Gutierrez-Reed was responsible for the guns on set that day.
Baldwin’s Defense: Baldwin’s attorney Luke Nikas and Gutierrez-Reed’s attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday, though Baldwin has previously denied being at fault for Hutchins’ death. “Someone is responsible for what happened, and I can’t say who that is, but I know it’s not me,” Mr. Baldwin last year in an interview with ABC News.
Gutierrez-Reed’s Defense: Gutierrez-Reed’s attorneys provided MovieMaker with the following statement: “Hannah is, and has always been, very emotional and sad about this tragic accident. But she did not commit involuntary manslaughter. These charges are the result of a very flawed investigation and an inaccurate understanding of the full facts. We intend to bring the full truth to light and believe Hannah will be exonerated of wrongdoing by a jury,” attorneys Jason Bowles and Todd J. Bullion said on Thursday.
