US actor Alec Baldwin wanted to finish filming Rust in the weeks after the fatal on-set shooting of a cinematographer, new legal documents showed on Friday.
Baldwin was holding a Colt gun during a rehearsal for the low-budget Western in New Mexico in October when it discharged a live round, killing Halyna Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza.
The film was abandoned amid recriminations over who was to blame for the fatal incident, with allegations of unsafe practices and claims of corner-cutting.
But an arbitration filing on Friday in Los Angeles showed Baldwin had sought to resurrect the stalled project.
“Baldwin made an exhaustive effort to contact the Rust cast in the hope of acquiring their support to finish the film,” said the filing by Baldwin's lawyer to an arbitration service.
“He did so both with the intent of honouring Halyna's legacy by completing her last work and of compensating [Halyna's husband Matt] Hutchins and his son from the film's profits.
“Depending on the success of Rust upon its completion and release, this additional component of the settlement would likely have equalled millions of dollars.”
A series of lawsuits have been filed since the shooting, including by Hutchins's husband, in which he claimed “substantial” damages against Baldwin and other producers.
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Alec Baldwin outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office in New Mexico, after he was questioned about a shooting on the set of the film 'Rust', which killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza. AP -
A distraught Alec Baldwin lingers in the car park outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office. AP -
The entrance to the film set of 'Rust'. Reuters -
The entrance to the Bonanza Creek Ranch used for film shoots. AP -
A vehicle from the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office exiting the set of 'Rust'. Reuters -
Media crews outside the gate of the film set of 'Rust'. Reuters -
Director of photography Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot by Alec Baldwin on the set of 'Rust'. AP -
Journalists outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office in New Mexico. AP -
Security guards block the Bonanza Creek Ranch. AP -
The Bonanza Creek Ranch where 'Rust' was being filmed, one day after the incident. Photo: Roberto E Rosales / Albuquerque Journal -
A sign points to the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe. AFP -
A security guard speaks with a compliance officer from the State of New Mexico at the Bonanza Creek Ranch where 'Rust' was being filmed. AFP -
Security guards at the entrance of the 'Rust' film set. AP -
A vigil in Albuquerque, New Mexico, held in the honour of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. AP -
A candle bearing Halyna Hutchins's name is placed among others during a vigil in her honour. AP -
A large crowd of movie industry workers and New Mexico residents attend the candlelight vigil. AP -
New Mexico residents at the vigil. AP -
Members of the local film community mourn the loss of Halyna Hutchins. Reuters -
Film industry worker Jake Extine pays his respects. AP -
A sign calling for workplace safety at the vigil. Reuters -
People light candles to honour Halyna Hutchins. AP
It was this lawsuit, Friday's filing says, that derailed the plan to finish the film.
The arbitration document seeks chiefly to insulate Baldwin and his production company — producers on the movie — from the effect of lawsuits, arguing that the former 30 Rock star had no responsibility for the business side of the film.
It cites a clause in the contract he had with “Rust LLC”, the company formed to make the movie, saying he is “entitled to immediate indemnification from respondents arising out of or connected to the Rust litigations".
In December, Baldwin told ABC that he does not feel guilty for Hutchins's death and believed the weapon he was handling to be safe.
“I feel that someone is responsible for what happened and I can't say who that is. But I know it's not me,” Baldwin said.
Law enforcement agencies in New Mexico are conducting a criminal investigation into the incident, including into how live ammunition could have found its way on to the set.
Investigators have not filed criminal charges but have refused to rule them out against anyone involved, including Baldwin.
