A law suit alleges Baldwin's gun in 'Rust' script was not to be fired

Photo: Alex Tabak/Pool via REUTERS

 In a complaint filed on Wednesday, a crew member on the Western film "Rust" claimed that the screenplay never called for a gun to be fired during a scene that Alec Baldwin was practicing when he murdered a cameraman last month.

According to script supervisor Mamie Mitchell, Baldwin should have tested the pistol for live ammo personally rather than relying on the assistant director's assurance that the Colt.45 revolver was safe to use.

"In our opinion, Mr. Baldwin chose to play Russian Roulette when he fired a gun without checking it and without having the armorer do so in his presence," Mitchell's attorney Gloria Allred told a news conference.

Mitchell, who claims she was in the line of fire, filed a case in Los Angeles Superior Court alleging assault, intentional infliction of mental distress, and willful infliction of pain and requesting unspecified damages.

"I relive the gunshot and the sound of the explosion from the pistol over and again," said Mitchell, who called 911 immediately after the Oct. 21 event.

The claim, which is the second filed in connection with the event, names Baldwin, the film's producers, assistant director Dave Halls, and Hannah Gutierrez, the armorer in charge of the weapons used in the movie.

Requests for comment from Baldwin, the producers, and Halls were not immediately returned. Gutierrez's lawyer said he had not yet seen the case.

Baldwin has stated that he is saddened and is working with the police inquiry. Rust Movie Productions is conducting its investigation.

Authorities in New Mexico are looking into how a live bullet got into the revolver Baldwin was using while rehearsing a scene inside a church on Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe. There have been no criminal charges brought.

According to police, Halyna Hutchins, a cinematographer, was murdered and director Joel Souza was injured when a pistol Baldwin had been promised was safely discharged a live bullet.

Other live rounds have been discovered on the set.

According to the complaint, the "Rust" script called for three close camera views for the scene: one of Baldwin's eyes, one of a bloodstain, and one on Baldwin's body "as he extended his hand down to the holster and withdrew the revolver."

The lawsuit claims that Baldwin "deliberately, without good cause or justification, cocked and discharged the loaded rifle even though the future scene did not call for the cocking and firing of a handgun."

Allred said that Baldwin's behavior on the set was "reckless," and that other safety regulations were flouted or ignored.

Serge Svetnoy, the main electrician, filed a negligence case against the producers last week.

 

Publish : 2021-11-18 10:26:00

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