Dwayne Johnson and James Gunn lead tributes for Halyna Hutchins after Alec Baldwin fatal shooting

Halyna Hutchins died on set of Rust in a freak accident (Picture: halynahutchins, Instagram)

Dwayne Johnson and James Gunn are among the stars who have paid tribute to cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was shot and killed by Alec Baldwin. 

Hutchins died at the age of 42 on Thursday after Baldwin, 63, fired off a prop gun accidentally killing her on set of the movie Rust. The film’s director Joel Souza, 48, was also injured. 

Sante Fe Police Department confirmed Baldwin was questioned but no charges have been made as investigations continue. 

The news has shocked and saddened Hollywood with many stars reacting to Hutchins’ death on social media. 

Jungle Cruise actor Dwayne commented on Hutchins’ last Instagram post and said: ‘I am so so sorry.

Rest easy. My love and strength to your family.’ 

The Suicide Squad 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.’ 

Magic Mike actor Joe Manganiello was particularly affected by the news and paid tribute to Hutchins, who he recently worked with, in a heartfelt post which said: ‘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 she what she could pull off next… and she was a fantastic person. 

He continued: ‘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. 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…’ 

Fortress and Survive the Game director James Cullen Bressack wrote under Hutchins’ final post: ‘I will miss you my friend…. This is devastating.’ 

Cullen Bressack later added: ‘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****d up. #HalynaHutchins.’ 

Comparisons have been drawn between the incident and the death of Bruce Lee’s son Brandon Lee on set of The Crow in 1993, where a bullet that was lodged in the barrel of a prop gun was propelled out by a blank round, killing him.

Brandon’s sister Shannon 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.’

More: US Showbiz news

A spokesperson for Rust Movies Productions LLC addressed the incident in a statement, which 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.’

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.