Work on the film Rust will resume in the spring, with Alec Baldwin producing and remaining in the lead role, it has been announced.
The widow of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was fatally shot on the set of the western in October 2021, has also approved a documentary about her.
The currently untitled piece will explore her life and “final work, including the completion of the film” and will feature her partner Matthew as an executive producer.
The plans come after Baldwin was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter by the Santa Fe District Attorney’s office for the fatal shooting of Hutchins.
Several members of the original crew will return to the project along with director Joel Souza.
Safety officers Gary Jensen and Paul Jordan from Tenet Production Safety and production designer Christine Brandt will be involved in the production.
Matthew Hutchins will serve as executive producer and will be joined by Academy Award nominated producer Grant Hill.
The production company said that “at Hutchins’ behest and with his blessing and support” cinematographer Bianca Cline will “carry out Halyna’s vision for the film” as well as donate her salary to charity in her honor.
The production will continue to use union crew members and “any use of working weapons and any type of ammunition” from the crew.
Souza said: “Although it is bittersweet, I am grateful that a wonderful and dedicated new production team is reuniting with former cast and crew who are committed to completing Halyna and I.
“My best efforts on this film will be focused on donating Halyna’s legacy and making her proud. It is a privilege to see this through on her behalf.”
The first of two charges against Baldwin by the Santa Fe District Attorney’s office last month could be referred to as involuntary manslaughter and requires proof of basic negligence.
The second charge is involuntary manslaughter in connection with the commission of a lawful act, which requires proof that death was more than simple negligence, and includes a firearm enhancement, which makes the crime punishable by a mandatory five years in prison .
Last week, however, Baldwin’s lawyers argued that the charge was “illegal” because such an improvement was only enacted last May, seven months after the incident.
Earlier this month, Halyna’s relatives filed a new civil lawsuit against Baldwin.
The lawsuit is being brought by Ms Hutchins’ mother, Olga Solovey, her father Anatolii Androsovych and his sister Svetlana Zemko, who are suing the actress and the film production company Rust for alleged battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and loss of consortium.
Loss of consortium is a claim that seeks to recover compensation for damage to certain interdependent relationships.