In an Instagram post, the comedian said he was "grateful to all those who have contributed to the resolution of this tragic and painful case".

Production on the film will resume in January 2023, according to a separate statement obtained by AFP.

The agreement puts an end to the civil legal proceedings initiated by Ms Hutchins' family against Alec Baldwin.

The amount of this negotiated agreement, which must then be validated by a judge, was not disclosed.

"I have no desire to launch recriminations or point the blame (whether it's the producers or Mr. Baldwin)," commented the husband of the cinematographer, Matthew Hutchins, quoted in the press release from the production. of the movie.

"We are all convinced that Halyna's death resulted from a terrible accident."

Filming is due to resume in January 2023, "with all the main protagonists," he says, adding that he will be the executive producer.

Halyna Hutchins in Park City, Utah, January 28, 2019 Fred Hayes GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

On October 21, 2021, the filming of this western on a ranch in Santa Fe (New Mexico) had turned tragic when Mr. Baldwin had activated a weapon supposed to contain only blank bullets but whose very real projectile had fatally injured Halyna Hutchins, 42 years old.

"Bittersweet"

The shooting also injured the director of the film, Joel Souza, who welcomed Wednesday the upcoming resumption of filming.

"While it's obviously bittersweet, I'm glad that together we're now finishing what Halyna and I started. All of my efforts on this film will be dedicated to bringing Halyna's memory to the limelight," he explained, quoted in the production press release.

The filming accident, in a country regularly bereaved by firearms, had a very strong impact, beyond the American borders.

The news item had led Hollywood studios to reflect on the rules and conditions for making films.

Halyna Hutchins' family had filed a complaint against the actor in February, accusing him through their lawyer of "dangerous behavior" and denouncing the cost-cutting measures decided by the film's producers, including Mr. Baldwin, having according to them led to the death of the filmmaker.

The police investigation, the conclusions of which have not yet been made public, focused in particular on determining how live ammunition could have been found on the set, which is in theory strictly prohibited, precisely to avoid accidents. .

Alec Baldwin had, while assuring that he did not want to "condemn" her, again recently pointed the finger at the gunsmith hired for the film, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, and also mentioned the responsibility of assistant director Dave Halls, who had given him the weapon shortly before the shooting.

Photo provided by the Santa Fe Sheriff on April 25, 2022 showing the location of the filming of "Rust", at the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico - Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office/AFP

The 64-year-old actor, who has starred in numerous action movies, has made a name for himself with his comedic portrayal of Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live.

© 2022 AFP