LOS ANGELES — Alec Baldwin and his company El Dorado Pictures are seeking to have a judge dismiss claims made by a lighting technician from the film "Rust," who alleges he suffered emotional distress following the tragic shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in New Mexico in 2021.
In court documents filed on Thursday, April 10, 2025, with Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Maurice Leiter, Baldwin's legal team argues that there are no triable issues in Serge Svetnoy's case against the 67-year-old actor. The motion is set for a hearing on July 25, 2025.
Baldwin's attorneys contend that the claims should have been resolved after a settlement reached in October 2022 between Baldwin and Matthew Hutchins, Halyna's husband. They assert, "In October 2022, Mr. (Matthew) Hutchins and Alec Baldwin, both intending to honor (Halyna's) legacy and do what is best for Halyna's son, reached a settlement. That should have been the end of the matter. But it was not."
Svetnoy claims he was emotionally injured merely by being nearby when a prop gun discharged a live round, which should not have been in the firearm. Baldwin's lawyers argue that while Svetnoy understandably claims to have suffered mental anguish, "the same can be said for many people who were on the set that day."
They further state that Svetnoy cannot recover damages because his claims belong in the workers' compensation arena, regardless of whether New Mexico or California law is applied. Baldwin's lawyers assert that he was not negligent regarding the safety of prop guns on the "Rust" set, stating, "Baldwin was not responsible for safety, particularly as to prop guns."
Additionally, the court documents maintain that there is no evidence of intentional acts to support Svetnoy's claims for assault or emotional distress. Baldwin's legal team emphasizes that there are no facts indicating that Baldwin acted with malice, which would be necessary to justify Svetnoy's request for punitive damages.
Svetnoy originally filed his lawsuit in November 2021, claiming that the shooting was caused by the negligent acts and omissions of multiple defendants. In a subsequent amended complaint, he added causes of action for assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress against Baldwin.
The tragic incident occurred while Baldwin was helping to prepare camera angles on the film's set near Santa Fe. The weapon, which was supposed to contain only blank rounds, discharged a lead bullet that struck Hutchins in the chest, killing her, and also lodged in the shoulder of director Joel Souza, who is now 51 years old.
On July 12, 2024, a New Mexico judge dismissed the criminal case against Baldwin mid-trial, citing that the prosecution had suppressed evidence. This decision marked a significant turning point in Baldwin's legal battles surrounding the incident.
Alec Baldwin, born on April 3, 1958, in Amityville, New York, is an accomplished actor, producer, comedian, and writer. He began his career with roles in soap operas and television series, eventually gaining prominence with the telenovela "Knots Landing" in the mid-1980s. Baldwin studied drama at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, and his film career took off with notable roles in movies such as "Beetlejuice" (1988), "The Hunt for Red October" (1990), and "Glengarry Glen Ross" (1992).
In the 1990s, Baldwin became one of Hollywood's leading actors, appearing in productions like "Malice" (1993), "Ghosts of Mississippi" (1996), and "The Edge" (1997). He is perhaps best known for his role as Jack Donaghy on the acclaimed television series "30 Rock" (2006-2013), for which he won two Emmy Awards.
More recently, Baldwin made headlines for his portrayal of Donald Trump on "Saturday Night Live," earning another Emmy for his performance in 2017. His extensive filmography also includes appearances in "Pearl Harbor" (2001), "The Aviator" (2004), "The Departed" (2006), "Blue Jasmine" (2013), "Still Alice" (2014), and "Mission: Impossible - Fallout" (2018).
In addition to his acting accolades, Baldwin has lent his voice to animated films such as "Madagascar 2" (2008) and "The Boss Baby" (2017). He received his first and only Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "The Cooler" (2003).
On a personal note, Baldwin has been married twice: first to actress Kim Basinger from 1993 to 2002, with whom he has a daughter, and currently to yoga instructor Hilaria Thomas since 2012, with whom he has seven children. Throughout his career, Baldwin has faced various controversies, including conflicts with the media and accusations of violent behavior.
The tragic incident on the set of "Rust" occurred when Baldwin was handling a firearm that accidentally discharged, resulting in the death of Halyna Hutchins and injury to Joel Souza. Baldwin was initially charged with manslaughter due to the incident, but the case was dismissed in 2024 due to procedural failures. Meanwhile, the film's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, was sentenced to 18 months in prison in 2023 for her role in the incident.
As the legal proceedings continue, the first trailer for "Rust" was released on March 26, 2025, more than three years after the tragedy. The film is scheduled to hit U.S. theaters on May 2, 2025, and tells the story of a condemned orphan who escapes with his grandfather while being pursued by a marshal and a bounty hunter in 1880s Kansas.
