Alec Baldwin is reportedly cancelling other projects after being left ‘inconsolable’ following the accidental fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust.
Cinematographer Hutchins, 42, was shot and killed when Baldwin, 63, discharged the prop gun during filming.
A source said that the actor is looking ‘to take some time to himself and re-center himself.’
They went on to say: ‘This is how he handles difficult times. Whenever something bad happens, in the short term, he removes himself from [the] public eye.’
Baldwin was ‘hysterical and absolutely inconsolable for hours’ following the shooting, they told People. ‘Everyone knows this was an accident, but he’s absolutely devastated.’
The actor, who was starring in and co-producing the film, recently spoke out on the tragedy.
He said: ‘There are no words to convey my shock and sadness regarding the tragic accident that took the life of Halyna Hutchins, a wife, mother and deeply admired colleague of ours.
‘I’m fully cooperating with the police investigation to address how this tragedy occurred.
‘I am in touch with her husband, offering my support to him and his family. My heart is broken for her husband, their son, and all who knew and loved Halyna.’
Director Joel Souza, 48, was also shot in the shoulder, although he has since been released from hospital.
Who is Halyna Hutchins?
Halyna Hutchins, a mother of one, was born in the Ukraine and grew up on a Soviet military base in the Arctic Circle before attending Kyiv National University.
After graduating with a degree in international journalism, she worked as an investigative journalist for British documentaries in Eastern Europe.
However, Hutchins’ true passion lay in filmmaking, and she moved to Los Angeles, where she got work as a production assistant and a grip electric.
She also shot her own short films, inspired by cinematographers including Christopher Doyle and Sergey Urusevskiy.
On the advice of cinematographer Robert Primes, Hutchins enrolled the filmmaking MFA programme at the American Film Institute Conservatory in 2013 and graduated two years later.
In 2018, Hutchins was one of eight female cinematographers selected for the inaugural 21st Century Fox DP Lab, and in 2019, she was chosen as a Rising Star by American Cinematographer magazine.
Hutchins went on to work on films including horrors The Mad Hatter and Darlin’ and police drama Blindfire, and the BET+ series A Luv Tale: The Series.
She also worked on the Joe Mangianello mystery thriller Archenemy, which premiered at Beyond Fest 2020 and received a nomination at the Sitges International Film Festival.
In a statement, a rep for Rust Movies Productions LLC said: ‘The entire cast and crew has been absolutely devastated by today’s tragedy, and we send our deepest condolences to Halyna’s family and loved ones.
‘We have halted production on the film for an undetermined period of time and are fully cooperating with the Santa Fe Police Department’s investigation.’
They added: ‘We will be providing counseling services to everyone connected to the film as we work to process this awful event.’
The Santa Fe Police Department confirmed they are investigating the incident, and that Baldwin willingly gave a statement. He was seen outside the station in tears.
No charges have been filed.
Metro.co.uk has contacted reps for Alec Baldwin for comment.
