Celebrities and filmmakers are speaking out about the on-set tragedy that occurred on Alec Baldwin’s film, Rust.
A prop firearm being used by Alec was misfired, leading to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and the hospitalization of director Joel Souza. The accident happened on Thursday in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Members of the entertainment industry is opening up about their grief and horror at the tragedy, and paying tribute to Halyna.
Read on to see what they are saying:
Joe Manganiello:
“I woke up to the messages and read the news and I am in shock.
I was so lucky to have had @halynahutchins as my DP on Archenemy. She was an absolutely incredible talent and a great person. She had such an eye and a visual style, she was the kind of cinematographer that you wanted to see succeed because you wanted to she what she could pull off next… and she was a fantastic person. There was no amount of pressure she couldn’t handle. She was a great collaborator and an ally to anyone in front of her camera. Everyone who knew her was rooting for her.
I can’t believe that this could happen in this day and age… gunfire from a prop gun could kill a crew member? This is a horrible tragedy. My heart goes out to her family and especially to her son. I am so sad today for everyone who knew her and worked with her…”
Elijah Wood:
“Absolutely horrifying and devastating news about cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins. My heart goes out to her family.”
James Gunn:
“My greatest fear is that someone will be fatally hurt on one of my sets. I pray this will never happen. My heart goes out to all of those affected by the tragedy today on Rust, especially Halyna Hutchins & her family.”
Alex Winter:
“Deepest condolences to the family and friends of Halyna Hutchins. Crew should never be unsafe on set and when they are there is always a clearly definable reason why.”
Paul Scheer:
“I’m gutted. This is beyond a tragedy and there are so many rules in place to make sure this can’t happen. I can’t even fathom how this is possible. So many people had to be negligent. This is a crime. Halyna was a tremendous talent. I’m sick to my stomach.”
Mike Flanagan:
“My heart breaks for the family and friends of Halyna Hutchins – this is just horrifying and devastating news.”
Debra Messing took to Twitter to defend Alec Baldwin after a media personality tweeted, “BREAKING: Alec Baldwin kills person with gun, criminal investigation underway. This is the accurate headline fyi.” She responded with this:”It is absolutely NOT. A prop gun was handed to him. He used it in the scene. Then – a catastrophic event happened where Halyna Hutchins lost her life and Joel Souza was injured. I am praying for all of their families.”
The family of Brandon Lee also released a statement on the incident. Brandon, son of Bruce Lee, was tragically killed while filming The Crow in 1993 after an actor fired a gun believing it was loaded with blanks. HIs family said:
“Our hearts go out to the family of Halyna Hutchins and to Joel Souza and all involved in the incident on “Rust.” No one should ever be killed by a gun on a film set. Period.”
