Tributes paid to cinematographer Halyna Hutchins as Hollywood calls for reform over guns on set

Hollywood stars have called for reforms to on-set guns as they paid tribute to Halyna Hutchins, the crew member accidentally killed when Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun.

Actor Baldwin was filming Rust in New Mexico when the tragic events unfolded, with a reported misfiring killing the film's director of photography Halyna Hutchins, 42, and injuring director Joel Souza, 48.

A spokesman for Baldwin, 63, has said that the incident involved the misfiring of a prop gun loaded with blanks.

Shannon Lee, the sister of Brandon Lee who died after being shot by a prop gun in 1993 while filming The Crow, tweeted: "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."

Read more: Alec Baldwin fatally shot woman with prop gun on set

Terminator 2 actor Xander Berkeley wrote: "I cannot believe what happened on set in New Mexico today isn’t all over the internet yet. But it is the official end of using firearms on sets from now on for anything other than pantomime and post-production."

Better Call Saul star Michael McKean agreed: "There is no reason ever to have a live round on a movie set. Ever."

Producer and director James Cullen Bressack wrote: "I will never use anything but airsoft and rubber guns on my movies ever again. This should never have happened. Halyna, you were a gem. This is so f***ed up."

Hutchins, who was born in Ukraine, had been named as one of American Cinematographer’s Rising Stars of 2019 and had also worked as an investigative journalist in the UK and Europe before getting into film.

Her film credits include Archenemy, The Mad Hatter and Darlin'.

Paying tribute to her, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson commented on Hutchins’ last Instagram post, a video she shared two days ago of herself horse-riding on set, writing that a “perk” of working on a Western was that “you get to ride horses on your day off”.

Johnson wrote: “I am so so sorry. Rest easy. My love and strength to your family.”

Joe Manganiello, who recently worked with Hutchins on the film Archenemy, wrote on Instagram: “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 see what she could pull off next.

“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.

Read more: Medical history to be checked as rules for gun licences tighten

“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 tweeted: "Absolutely horrifying and devastating news about cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins. My heart goes out to her family."

Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn tweeted: "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."

Patricia Arquette wrote: "My heart goes out to Halyna Hutchins family. What a heartbreaking loss. Sending prayers to Joel Souza. I’m sure everyone is devastated."

Bridesmaids director Paul Feig added: "Just woke up in London to the devastating news of the accident that so tragically took the life of Halyna Hutchins. It is beyond comprehension. There are no words, really. This is a very dark day for our industry."

Archenemy director Adam Egypt Mortimer wrote: “I’m so sad about losing Halyna. And so infuriated that this could happen on a set.

“She was a brilliant talent who was absolutely committed to art and to film.”

He also re-shared a thread he posted after the film was released last year, writing: “I was lucky to have known her and to have worked with her.”

Baldwin had been filming the 19th century western Rust at Bonanza Creek Ranch when the fatal shooting happened, with emergency services called to the scene at around 1.50pm on Thursday.

A statement from Rust Movies Productions LLC said: "The entire cast and crew has been absolutely devastated by today’s tragedy, and we send our deepest condolences to Halyna’s family and loved ones.

"We have halted production on the film for an undetermined period of time and are fully cooperating with the Santa Fe Police Department’s investigation.

"We will be providing counseling services to everyone connected to the film as we work to process this awful event."

Watch: Alec Baldwin discharged prop gun that killed Rust cinematographer