Alec Baldwin and ‘Rust’ producers will shift production of the western film to California from the New Mexico set where cinematographer was fatally shot on set: Widow will executive produce the film under settlement deal

• The movie production of the film ‘Rust’ will move to California in January 2023 amid the ongoing investigation of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins’ death
• Producers haven’t confirmed the Golden State filming site but are unable to return to the New Mexico Bonanza Creek Ranch set 
• Hutchin was killed by a gun actor Alec Baldwin was holding but he insisted he didn’t pull the trigger and blamed managers for not unloading the gun 
• The exact production site in California hasn’t been confirmed yet  

Alec Baldwin and the producers of budget western Rust will now film in California instead of using the New Mexico set where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot by the actor. 

Earlier this month, the producers said filming will resume in January after reaching a confidential settlement with Hutchins’ widow, Matthew. He will now serve as executive producer of the film under as part of an agreement under the settlement.

Hutchins was killed nearly a year ago to the day – on October 21, 2021 – and the set was shut down at the Bonanza Creek Ranch set in Sante Fe. 

The cinematographer was shot by a gun Baldwin was holding, but the actor insists he didn’t pull the trigger and blames prop managers for not checking if the gun was loaded.

Despite the settlement announcement, the local DA’s office warned the deal will not impact its criminal investigation into the death and added: ‘No one is above the law.’

No charges have been filed pending a report from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office.  

The exact production site in California hasn’t been confirmed, but the Golden State has dozens of western film sets, including in Pioneer Town in Yucca Valley,  Paramount Movie Ranch, Spahn Ranch and Iverson Movie Ranch. 

Alec Baldwin and the producers of budget western Rust will now film in California instead of New Mexico

Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot on set by Baldwin while on the set of the movie in New Mexico

Baldwin and Matthew Hutchins, Halyna’s husband, shared a hug following the prop gun shooting accident 

The exact production site in California hasn’t been confirmed, but the Golden State has dozens of western film sets. Pictured: Bonanza Creek Ranch where Baldwin shot Hutchins 

Baldwin announced the return of Rust’s production in a post on his Instagram page, noting the move was part of a ‘specific desire to do what is best for Halyna’s son’ after she was shot dead.

He wrote on social media: ‘Throughout this difficult process, everyone has maintained the specific desire to do what is best for Halyna’s son.  

Matthew Hutchins has previously said that the death of his wife Halyna was a ‘terrible accident.’ 

‘I have no interest in engaging in recriminations or attribution of blame (to the producers or Mr. Baldwin),’ Matthew previously said. ‘All of us believe Halyna’s death was a terrible accident.

‘I am grateful that the producers and the entertainment community have come together to pay tribute to Halyna’s final work.’

Following the announcement of the civil settlement, the DA’s office said: ‘The proposed settlement announced today in Matthew Hutchins’ wrongful death case against Rust movie producers, including Alec Baldwin, in the death of Halyna Hutchins will have no impact on District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altweis’ ongoing investigation or her ultimate decision whether to file criminal charges in the case.’

‘While civil suits are settled privately and often involve financial awards, criminal cases deal only in facts.

‘If the facts and evidence warrant criminal charges under New Mexico law then charges will be brought. No one is above the law.’

While the new set of ‘Rust’ is yet to be revealed, there are plenty of places in California that could be a good fit. 

Pioneertown is tucked away in Yucca Valley, California and resembles a mid-1900s film set. The Western town was built by actors Dick Curtis, Russell Hayden and Roy Rogers in 1946 to serve as a tourist site and a movie set, according to Country Living. 

Pioneertown is tucked away in Yucca Valley, California and resembles a mid-1900s film set

Multiple films were shot at Pioneertown in the 1940s, including ‘Riders in the Sky,’ The Cowboy and the Indians,’ and ‘The Darling Caballero’

Multiple films were shot at Pioneertown in the 1940s, including ‘Riders in the Sky,’ The Cowboy and the Indians,’ and ‘The Darling Caballero.’ 

As the hype of the Western film industry came to an end, so did the use of Pioneertown for movies. One of the last films shot at the location was ‘Ingrid Goes West’ in 2017 – but only four have been filmed in Pioneertown since the 2000s. 

Now, Pioneertown is mostly a tourist attraction with accommodations and shops. 

Paramount Ranch is another famous Western town hidden in the hills of Malibu. The ranch was purchased in 1927 for film production and continues to be used to date.

Most of production site was recently swept away by the Woosley Fire in November 2018, and now the area is currently being ‘reimagined,’ according to National Park Service, which purchased a portion of the ranch in 1980. 

However, some of the set’s landmark building, such as a chapel – used in the first episode of Westworld – and train deposit remain. Producers of the film ‘Rust’ can potentially use the vacant set to their advantage to build a set similar to the one in New Mexico. 

One of the first movies at the ranch, include ‘Maid of Salem’ filmed in 1937 featuring actress Claudette Colbert. 

HBO’s ‘Westword’ was the latest show to be filmed at the ranch between 2016 and 2017 – right before the devastating 2018 fire. 

Paramount Ranch is another famous Western town hidden in the hills of Malibu. A majority of the ranch was burned down in the 2018 fire but is currently being reimagined. Pictured: Paramount Ranch before the fire 

Pictured: Paramount Ranch before the fire 

Some of the famous sighting, such as a chapel and train deposit remain. Producers of the film ‘Rust’ can potentially use the vacant set to their advantage to build a set similar to the one in New Mexico. Pictured: Paramount Ranch after the fire 

Producers can use Paramount Ranch to rebuild a set similar to the one in New Mexico 

The famous 55-acre Spahn Ranch, which was also home to the notorious Manson Family in the 1960s, is also another previous film site that was used in Los Angeles until the 1950s. 

The ranch was owned by George Spahn, who was in bad health in the 1960s when he let the Manson family stay at the ranch in exchange for chores. The infamous ranch is located at around Santa Susana Pass Road in the Simi Hills by Chatsworth. 

While it is no longer in use, famous classics, such as the 1943 film ‘Duel in the Sun’ with Gregory Pack was filmed at the site. 

Iverson Movie Ranch is another western classic film site nearby Spahn Ranch. The ranch has been used since 1912. 

One of the last films at the site was ‘Motorcycle Cheerleading Mommas’ in 1997.  

Spahn Ranch, which was also home to the notorious Manson Family in the 1960s, is also another previous film site that was used in Los Angeles until the 1950s. Pictured: the Manson family members at the ranch

The ranch was owned by George Spahn, who was in bad health in the 1960s when he let the Manson family stay at the ranch in exchange for chores

While it is no longer in use, famous classics, such as the 1943 film ‘Duel in the Sun’ with Gregory Pack was filmed at the site

Iverson Movie Ranch is another western classic film site. Pictured: producers on the set of ‘Motorcycle Cheerleading Mommas’ in 1997 

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