UPDATE

EXCLUSIVE

I’m told the memorial service last night at a Santa Fe hotel for 42 year old cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was, as expected, very emotional.

I’m also told that Alec Baldwin, who fired the gun that killed Hutchins, spoke to the cast, crew, and mourners. His words were termed as “heartfelt” by those who attended.

Director Joel Souza, who was shot when the bullet that was fired in Hutchins’ direction passed through her body and hit him, was there, as well. This man, like everyone else, must be in shock.

First assistant Dave Halls, whose name has figured in the chain of command for the loaded prop gun, was also at the memorial. Hannah Gutierrez, who was considered the film’s “armorer,” did not attend.

Most importantly, Hutchins’ husband, Matthew, and their son, were in attendance. Matthew told the assembled mourners that he’d lost his own mother to cancer earlier this year.

Hutchins posted to Twitter last night: “Halyna inspired us all with her passion and vision, and her legacy is too meaningful to encapsulate in words. Our loss is enormous, and we ask that the media please respect my family’s privacy as we process our grief. We thank everyone for sharing images and stories of her life.”

Baldwin left New Mexico after the service, presumably to join his wife Hilaria, and their six small children on Eastern Long Island. My sources say that there was “a sense” that the movie, “Rust,” would not resume production. It doesn’t seem possible that any of the people involved would return to that set.

A public memorial is set for tonight.

Halyna inspired us all with her passion and vision, and her legacy is too meaningful to encapsulate in words. Our loss is enormous, and we ask that the media please respect my family’s privacy as we process our grief. We thank everyone for sharing images and stories of her life. pic.twitter.com/LgEp4XVkja

— Matt Hutchins (@mhutchins) October 23, 2021

“Dune” didn’t cause a swoon at the box office last night.

The remake of the 1984 David Lynch Star Wars in the sand took home $12 million on Friday night, plus $5 million on Thursday previews.

The result is a $17 million “opening” and a probably $40 million weekend. “Dune” has another $117 million tucked away from international showings already.

Denis Villeneuve’s epic is also playing on HBO Max. It has a budget of at least $150 million, likely more. But at least it’s playing, it’s out after a year of delays thanks to the pandemic.

One of “Dune:’s stars is Timothee Chalamet, who is also featured in “The French Dispatch” from West Anderson, which opened last night in 50 theaters. Total take was $555,000. There’s a lot of interest in “The French Dispatch,” which will have a big first weekend in limited release.

I’m told a private memorial service is being held right now for Halyna Hutchins, the beloved cinematographer killed yesterday on the set of “Rust” in Santa Fe. Her husband and son are attending, and sources say there are grief counselors on the scene. Alec Baldwin is in attendance.

A public memorial is set for tomorrow night in Santa Fe by Local 600. The human factor in this story is almost overwhelming. More to come.

Thursday night, Warner Bros’ much anticipated “Dune” got started with $5 million in previews.

Based on that number, Denis Villeneuve’s take on Frank Herbert’s sci fi classic could reap $40 million at the box office.

“Dune” is also available on HBO Max, but it’s so stunning that I highly recommend getting off your keisters and seeing it in a theater. Wear a mask.

“Dune” will be up for a lot of below the line Oscars, and you want to be well versed in the details.

Will there be a part 2? Undoubtedly. Box office will only matter so much if the HBO Max numbers are good. Like “Many Saints of Newark,” “Dune” is designed to build interest in the streaming service. There are rumors that “Saints” will turn into an HBO Max series. You could see that happening to “Dune,” as well.

Meanwhile, “The Last Duel” is dead, and “No Time to Die” is struggling to stay alive. The Bond film crossed the $100 mil mark this week, but it’s losing steam quickly.

PS If “The French Dispatch” had previews, there was no report of attendance. It opens officially today at just 50 theaters.

EXCLUSIVE It was one bullet that discharged from the prop gun on the Santa Fe movie “Rust” and killed the director of photography and wounded the movie’s director.

An eyewitness on set tells this column that the bullet went straight through the body of DP Halyna Hutchins and into the clavicle of the film’s director Joel Souza.

Very quickly the set was locked down. Ambulance and helicopters arrived. Hutchins and Souza were sent straight to the hospital. Hutchins died en route in a helicopter.

On the ground, Baldwin was in shock but composed. He kept asking why he was handed a “hot gun.” Our eyewitness said Baldwin kept saying “In all my years, I’ve never been handed a hot gun.”

“A hot gun” means a gun with real ammunition.

Baldwin, not knowing the fate of the victims, was taken immediately to the hospital. “He had no idea how badly they were hurt or Halyna was dead.”

“Rust” is a Tier 1 one movie, meaning it was being produced for under $6 million. Our source says: “They had safety meetings every day but it was a Tier I movie, so they probably didn’t have more than 1 prop person.” According to the imdb, there was one key medic on the staff and two stunt people.

Whatever happened on the set, Alec Baldwin certainly didn’t intend for this outcome. And “Rust” is done. Sources say the production has been halted but as with the movie about Gregg Allman’s life, in which a crew member was killed because of negligence, lawsuits will now override any chance to that movie being finished.

click here for more Showbiz411 headlines, and other scoops about Alec Baldwin and “Rust”