‘Rust’ script supervisor sues Alec Baldwin over fatal shooting on set
Mamie Mitchell is suing Baldwin and producers, claiming she was also assaulted in the incident
The script supervisor for ‘Rust’ is suing Alec Baldwin and producers after cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally killed by a prop gun that contained a live round.
Mamie Mitchell has launched a lawsuit against lead actor Baldwin, producers and others from the production, claiming that she was hit by Baldwin as he drew the gun. She has alleged assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress and deliberate infliction of harm, likening Baldwin’s decision to fire the gun when the script did not instruct him to do so as playing “Russian Roulette”.
Mitchell called 911 after Hutchins was shot on the set in New Mexico on October 21 when Baldwin discharged a gun, which hit the cinematographer in the chest. Hutchins later died while director Joel Souza, who had been standing behind Hutchins, suffered a hit in the shoulder and was later discharged from hospital.
Baldwin has said that he believed the gun passed to him by assistant director Dave Halls did not contain live rounds, alleging that he shouted, “cold gun!”
The LA Superior Court filing read: “Alec Baldwin should have assumed that the gun in question was loaded unless and until it was demonstrated to him or checked by him that it was not loaded.
“He had no right to rely upon some alleged statement by the Assistant Director that it was a ‘cold gun.’
“Mr Baldwin chose to play Russian Roulette when he fired a gun without checking it and without having the armourer do so in his presence” [via The Telegraph].
The filing names Baldwin, Rust producers, production companies including St Movie Productions and El Dorado Pictures, Halls, and ‘Reed’ armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed and property master Sarah Zachry.
Mitchell has alleged that the script did not call for a gun to be discharged. She claimed that she was standing several feet away and was also hit after Baldwin pulled the gun to rehearse a draw.
She added in her claim that a lack of an experienced armourer spotlighted some of the cost-cutting by producers that endangered crew members’ lives of crew members. Armourer Gutierrez Reed filed her own suit last week.
The news follows Halls issuing a statement about the incident to the New York Post.
“I’m shocked and saddened by her death. It’s my hope that this tragedy prompts the industry to reevaluate its values and practices to ensure no one is harmed through the creative process again.”
The director also described Hutchins as “not just one of the most talented people I’ve worked with, but also a friend”.
He said he was “overwhelmed by the love and support,” adding “my thoughts are with all who knew and loved Halyna.”