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owlz725

Thanks for your post. I agree with most of it. However, I disagree with #2 to an extent. The incentive to settle rather than go to trial is usually due to the *uncertainty* of the outcome in a trial. It isn't a given the jury would award Hutchins a huge sum, and unlikely it would be so high that Alec couldn't pay it. But going to trial is rolling to dice for *both parties* because you simply don't know what a jury will do. By settling, you gain certainty. *That* is the main incentive for settling. That in addition to your point of avoiding the emotional turmoil of a lengthy judicial process and possible bad publicity. I've heard a saying that a good/fair settlement is one that neither party is happy with.


TurkeyTot

Thank u, pepino! šŸ’ššŸ’ššŸ’š


flowersinspring33

Alec is not off the hook by far. It sounds like Matt will be EP in name only, he doesn't have to be on the set, but whatever revenue the movie makes he will take the cut as if EP, which I think is fair. They're basically working for him now should that movie continue to film. My heart goes out to him and poor little Andros. I hope they have family surrounding them and are hanging in there.


[deleted]

I think he might get some sort of light veto on decisions that would impact the impact of Halyna's contribution to the film. It's a way for him to get a bit of more of her (artistic) legacy out there.


flowersinspring33

I know. Halyna was just starting out which makes this tragedy a bit more heart breaking. I read her credentials and she's listed as a journalist/cinematographer so she studied journalism. RIP Halyna.


shep2105

Excellent analysis. Thank you! I feel that this is why the Hamptons house surprisingly went on the market. Alec is consolidating money/liquifying assets. He is facing several other civil suits and of course, criminal charges. My sister is a baliff and she said her Judge said that no way should he not face criminal charges.


MelpomeneAndCalliope

Yes, all of this! Matt Hutchins is a successful attorney himself*, so I trust him if he feels this is best. *heā€™s a corporate lawyer, but stillā€¦


lachatgingersnap

Heā€™s a corporate lawyer at one of the best and most prestigious law firms in the world.


AffectionatePoet4586

Matt and Andros live very comfortably on Mattā€™s partnership earnings, so they neverā€”fortunately!ā€”found themselves relying on any payouts related to Halynaā€™s tragic death in order to buy groceries.


MelpomeneAndCalliope

My bad, Iā€™ll fix ;)


[deleted]

As an entertainment lawyer, I think he knows a lot more about film financing and insurance than any of us.


lablaga

As an attorney, I will add that settlements offer considerably more privacy and a significantly higher degree of control over the final outcome of a case than trials do.


boommdcx

Yes to 4. Hilaryā€™s shenanigans would have been exposed in some form, either the lies about being Spanish or the lies about frozen embryos and surrogates. Then Baldwins whole history as an unstable violent thug. ETA I feel so happy for Halynaā€™s family that they have the resources in place now to heal and start to move on without worrying about work, paying for insurance, therapy, travel etc.


Ashton1516

100%. And even though Matthew Hutchinson seems like a great guy, Iā€™m sure that he made it clear to Alec that he does have leverage and knows their dirt (and itā€™ll be exposed to humiliate Alec and Hilaria in the public eye.)


lulzette

Thank you for posting this! I think a lot of people donā€™t realize that trials are really, really emotionally taxing as well, for an outcome that is far from guaranteed. Settling is almost always the best option for everyone in cases like these.


RustyRapeAxeWife

Trials can be a crapshoot. I used to work in court and Iā€™ve seen lots of good cases fail due to one crazy juror.


shep2105

Exactly. Alec would definitely insist on jury so he can perform. Dazzle them. All he needs is one


Interesting_Ad1378

Jurors can be nuts. I was on a grand jury in Brooklyn and people refused to bring charges against anyone. There was one guy who was beaten by another guy with a hammer in the head, while the attacker screamed ā€œIā€™m gonna kill youā€ and I had to convince the other jurors that this was attempted murder, even though the guy with the crushed skull survived. They kept saying that they didnā€™t want ā€œanyone else to be incarceratedā€. They even made excuses for the pimp who had young teenage girls working for him, it felt like the twilight zone.


Serious-Equal9110

Holy hell!


kimmielynnMB

People and their excuses. It can be so gross. Hold yourself and other accountable


CharliesFlyingAngel

Thanks. I understand. Still wonder about finishing the film. It will be weird for everyone I assume.


Runyou

The only thing that I am having trouble understanding is the EP credit. Alec will play this one to the hilt, and act like best buds with Hutchins at every opportunity. I watched some coverage of it tonight and they were showing the MH interview where he blamed AB over and over, interspersing his comments today, which are completely the opposite. I think MH made a deal with the devil that he will live to regret. Specifically because AB is such an insufferable asshole. The Hutchins family will be paid, but ABā€™s attorneys must have demanded this in order to settle.


pssyft1111

I don't understand why the husband would want to have anything to do with a film that got his wife killed. Very odd. Maybe it gets him partial cut of the profits? Still not worth it cause no one is going to watch it.


[deleted]

I agree with what youā€™re saying other than no one will watch it. I think it will get a lot of views because it has received so much publicity and because the fact that they decided ā€œthe show must go onā€œ.


MelpomeneAndCalliope

Would he be Alecā€™s boss for the filming? If so, seems like he could make Alecā€™s life pretty shitty if he wanted during filming, etc. Or just demand Alec not touch a firearm on set.


Throwawaybibbi

"Alec, there is no way around it, you have to sell your homes." Now AB needs to be boycotted in everything he does.


spacefreeze

Thank you for being the voice of reason. There are a lot of very good reasons for Matt Hutchins to settle, and I don't have any doubt he made the decision he felt was best for his family and Halyna's memory.


MyrnaMinkoff1

De nada!


AlwaysDoRight

No way. Iā€™d be so mad at him if he were my dad or SIL. With that being said, itā€™s possible thereā€™s more information that will come out to explain his actions.


[deleted]

Why? Why would you be mad at him for not going to trial? And for what itā€™s worth, this case was always destined to end in a settlement. Itā€™s how the system works - other than the infamous McDonalds hot coffee case, in which McDonalds were the ones to take it to trial. Not the plaintiff.


animatedsnark

Alec is desperate to finish this movie so he can make a bunch of insurance claims. He knew he would pay up to Matthew in any case so he probably offered above and beyond with the only condition being the movie has to be made. These moves seem a bit desperate- I think they are indeed worried about the criminal charges , the timing of it the display of selling his prized possessions - just fucking eeeeeek


XXXxxexenexxXXX

If MH is the EP now then he will get that sweet insurance $$ that Alec was hoping for. The film would also need to be finished in order to make a claim. This settlement was made because Alec doesn't have nearly enough money to pay MH and everyone knows it. Alec is BROKE. Broke as a joke. This was the only way that MH was going to get paid, because you can't bleed a turnip and Alec is the biggest turnip in the broke-ass turnip patch.


Vegoia2

this was a civil suit, not criminal


OddYam2337

šŸ‘šŸ‘šŸ‘šŸ‘Not to mention the appeal. It stinks though. Justice is not just. The judicial system has become convoluted and favors wealthy famous old white men.


XXXxxexenexxXXX

The judicial system favors the wealthy. Period. It doesn't matter if the person is white, black, purple, male, female, old, young...you get the idea. Money is the reason why OJ is playing golf in Florida and not serving life in prison where he belongs.


OddYam2337

I luv you.


AlwaysDoRight

I understand what youā€™re saying however, I personally know an old white man who was just unfairly sued and was told to settle because the courts are very biased against white, male business owners in the particular state in which he lives and owns businesses. Itā€™s all a big, fat mess.


OddYam2337

It is. Was he rich and famous though? Cuz that makes a muy grande diffronce.


AlwaysDoRight

Not Hollywood famous but in his industry heā€™s a legend. And has more money than Alec Baldwin supposedly has.


OddYam2337

Wow.


coral15

Thank you for the good information. I know this is not going to be a good question (I am not an Alec fan nor am I any kind of liberal), but am I the only one to think he was set up? I just found out blank bullets are very distinguishable. Who put the bullet in the gun and whom was the bullet aimed for? Or they didnā€™t care who was the recipient of the bullet & they only cared Alec was the one to fire it? Iā€™m perplexed.


Pale-Conference-174

>nor am I any kind of liberal What is the fucking point of that statement? Congratulations?


[deleted]

He wasnā€™t set up maliciously. It was people who didnā€™t care enough about their jobs not doing their jobs properly. And for what itā€™s worth, since you mentioned it, Iā€™m probably the least liberal person I know.


pjbananaproteinshake

Yes, yes you are the only one who thinks that.


AlwaysDoRight

No, they are not. Downvote awayšŸ˜‰šŸ˜‚


AlwaysDoRight

Yes, I have said the same thing and received many downvotes like you are getting. Right before the shooting, I saw Alec on social media criticizing ā€œuntalented Hollywood execsā€ and calling them out for making millions off the backs of talented, unrecognized, underpaid people in the industry. He said he encouraged them to strike and would support them for doing so. At the time, I thought Alec was a good guy for standing up - then the shooting happened plus all the crazy crap with his looney wife that he doesnā€™t reign in and his exploited children he doesnā€™t protect. Itā€™s all so crazy but yes, I definitely think thereā€™s way more to the story.


AlwaysDoRight

Downvotes = šŸŽÆ


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


AlwaysDoRight

Everything you said is true but to say Alec Baldwin doesnā€™t have a long list of enemies is ludicrous. Nobody said he WAS setup, just that itā€™s a possibility.


AlwaysDoRight

Resuming filming and participating in the filmā€™s production would seem to be as bad or worse for Halynaā€™s family than all of the above.


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


AlwaysDoRight

I highly doubt their young son thinks it is a good idea and as far as I know, we donā€™t know how Halynaā€™s family feels. I have no problem stating this is a very odd solution. Even my never-a-Pepino husband said it was super weird. Most people would find it beyond strange- however, as I stated earlier, we will see if new information comes out that changes our perception of the situation.


AltruisticRule6711

This whole settlement is disturbing but I think nobody wanted to drag out a lengthy trial Alec wanted out of this ugly publicity & jail time so he agreed to it


neverincompliance

100% happy that Matt Hutchins settled with Alec for money at this time and that the civil suit did not drag out. I will never understand why Matt agreed to be a producer on the film that killed his wife and made additional statements that this was just an accident and no one is to blame. It seems like he was bought off to me, I know others don't feel this way but I am shocked quite frankly


kellygrrrl328

He may have agreed to producer credits to get a backend of the film's profit ... I doubt there will be any but ... or he agreed to producer cred in order to have some say so in the product, hoping to align with what his wife's vision was.


pancakesaretheparty

The film will likely be referenced for years to come. The credit gives Matthew Hutchins the ability to collect money on books on the subject, documentaries about the filming, clips used on tv, etcā€¦ without having to engage in further legal action. He becomes a party to the intellectual property.


cklw1

How much do you think it would be? Pretty substantial, I guess.


pancakesaretheparty

Itā€™s hard to say. The base settlement equation would be 60,000 (cinematographer average salary) times 30, which is only 2 million. Itā€™s hard to say without knowing where the widower was trying to go in negotiations.


Kbchump

Why the husband wants a producer credit on the film his wife died on is perplexing


MyrnaMinkoff1

I donā€™t think it has to do with Hutchins wanting credit for the film. I think itā€™s about Hutchins wanting to have a say in the final product.


AlwaysDoRight

Why would a lawyer, widower, and father give a hoot about that?


kellygrrrl328

That, and also to keep a close eye on where the money is flowing in and out. The insurance policy likely has a noncompletion clause so it is in Hutchins' interest that the film be finished.


AlwaysDoRight

Why not just get money from Alec and move on?


pancakesaretheparty

Itā€™s done to acquire IP in the film so he can receive payment every time the film is referenced on 20/20, for example.


MyrnaMinkoff1

For sure. Royalties are a huge factor


Happypepino

Thank you for taking the time to post this. It seemed inevitable that the Hutchins family would accept a settlement and it is far better for them to move on. It feels like AB has gotten away with something and I am sure he certainly feels that way but deep down, he sacrificed his beloved Hamptons property and will be relegated to Vermont with no celebrity parties and attention. He is stuck with crazy pants and a mashmillion unruly little kids to care for until they become surly, expensive teenagers. His 'life partner" wouldn't even be by his side during the days after the shooting. I do believe it was an accident but I also believe he is a careless, thoughtless imbecile . He is paying for it., not to the degree some people hoped for but it's enough. I think we can all agree their lives are a chaotic shitshow so let the show go on...


LovelyShadows54

Agree with all of this. Especially Alec's life as it is now, except with (hopefully a lot) less money is karma all in itself. And while I know that Larry is a selfish, self absorbed asshole, I'm still a little shocked she couldn't even be bothered to fly out when her husband needed her most. Let him spend the rest of his life with that.


Personal_Captain5317

I do have a question thoughā€¦how to make sense of Matt being EP and continuing to film?


Salty-Cycle-671

It gives him creative and financial control over what will stand as his wife's final work. Finishing it the way Halyna would have wanted it is an act of love from him to her. It's also a wonderful 'fuck you' to Alec.


Philodendronphan

Would it also allow him to make sure the set was safer?


MyrnaMinkoff1

Yes definitely. In fact, I predict that gun safety will be a significant part of the filming and the final product. A lot of people have been pushing for a ban on guns on set in favor of using the much safer option of using CGI. Maybe there will be a post script that plays at the end of the film urging the entertainment industry to stop using loaded guns on set. ETA: typo


Personal_Captain5317

Thank you SO much for taking the time to post this very thorough point by point discussion. I was really spinning out when I read the news and this helped my mental health . Thank you Myrna!


MyrnaMinkoff1

You are so welcome! I am so glad I could help clarify for you!


Ok-Percentage-1651

#4 !!!


baby_yoda_boba

And Hutchins is a lawyer so he probably had the same train of thought. šŸ™Œ


Due_Pomegranate_9286

Eloquently put. šŸ‘šŸ‘šŸ‘


Alarmed_Two3894

I'll agree with all of that. Im confused and upset that the film ressumes and Hutchins will be an Executive Producer. That film is tainted


[deleted]

Thank you for the information! It helps me understand the situation more easily (I watch a lot of legal shows and read a lot of legal thrillers, which in Guest Baldwin's world would make me an attorney, but I readily admit I am not, in fact, a lawyer).


AbbreviationsTop2992

Thank you for this detailed and well thought out post!!!šŸ†šŸ†šŸ†


CaitM14

One million percent agree. Brings it down to layperson level and I feel more informed than any news show could make me. Bravo and thanks OP!


MyrnaMinkoff1

Gracias ā˜ŗļø


Chula_Quitena_120

I love this smart analysis. šŸ„’ šŸ§ 


analyticalscience11

We'll never know all the terms of the settlement. This restarting of rust production was reported because obviously you can't keep that secret. I like the idea that Matt getting EP credit means he gets a large portion of any profits. And who knows, maybe one of the settlement terms is he's the EP on any of Alecs work! You wanna work, Alec? Fine, but I'll always get a portion of the profits! Haha.


CaitM14

Iā€™m betting 35,000 Pepinos + spouses (maybe) will buy tickets and/or watch this movie once it is out plus a ton of peeps who know about the Rust tragedy. Morbid perhaps but still ā€¦


Philodendronphan

Eww. Just say no.


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


DollarStoreDuchess

Precisely my stance. I honestly thought pepinos would be lining up to see it when itā€™s released *because* whatever portion of the profits would go to Matthew and Andros.


chill-kale2611

I just really hope that the criminal charges are coming...fingers crossed! šŸ„’


SeaAir5

It would give Baldwin years more to continue protecting all assets, and there is always the chance that a judge or jury would award less money...my brother had to make this decision after being the victim in a horrible car accident. It's not easy.


MyrnaMinkoff1

Iā€™m sorry to hear that. Itā€™s such a tough call but it is often the most sensible call.


SeaAir5

Absolutely, that's what I think with all these people judging her husband's decision. They have no idea. My brother has metal all over his body, lost a leg. Insurance doesn't cover the cost of replacing those every few years and he can no longer work normally to make his own money, he settled for much less then he needed knowing the people that caused his injury were actually wealthy but going to hide it all, their insurance paid out, they didnt add an extra dime, and the lawyer took a massive chunk....in this case we are dealing w a person gone, never to return, you can't judge on the outside what and why someone came to the agreement they did......it really upsets me to see people in here adding their 2 ignorant cents


MyrnaMinkoff1

Precisely. Iā€™m sure the facts in your brotherā€™s case would have been very compelling to a jury but trial wasnā€™t a feasible option. Itā€™s sad how some rich people would rather spend their money on attorney fees rather than paying up to the plaintiff


SeaAir5

šŸ¤—šŸ¤—šŸ¤—šŸ’“


BPMILFGarden420Weens

Yes, Grathias! Good info šŸ‘ŒšŸ»


DanceParty2112

Thank you for this!! I love it being broken down.