Alec Baldwin defends ‘sexually suggestive’ photo caption

Alec Baldwin has reacted over a “weird” comment about his wife and son in his first post since his involuntary manslaughter charge.

Alec Baldwin charged over fatal shooting

Actor Alec Baldwin has defended a photo he posted on Instagram of wife Hilaria Baldwin and their son, Leo, after fans criticised the “sexually suggestive” and “weird” caption that he used.

In his first post since it emerged he would be charged withtwo counts of invountary manslaughter, the 64-year-old actor shared a picture of his wife sitting on the floor as Leo stood behind her with his hands on her shoulders.

Alec Baldwin hit back at critics over his ‘sexually suggestive’ photo caption about wife, Hilaria, and son, Leo. Picture: Instagram

In the caption, Baldwin wrote: “The old ‘let me give you a back rub’ ploy.”

“This caption is disgusting,” commented one user.

“Sexualising children is always so weird but your own child? Yikes,” added a third fan.

Baldwin later changed the caption by adding “potato chips to follow” at the end of of it, seemingly to show the snack that Leo received after giving his mother a back rub.

He explained in the comments section, “I adjusted the text. I guess because … you know … there is so much of that Reddit trash out there”.

Hilaria Baldwin and Alec Baldwin have seven children together. Picture: Getty Images

The controversial post came after it emerged Baldwin will not be charged for shooting Rust director Joel Souza, despite being charged with involuntary manslaughter for killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

The bullet that killed Hutchins while on set in October 2021 also wounded Souza but the New Mexico District Attorney said the actor would not be charged for injuring the film’s director because an “unintentional battery” charge would not apply, reports the Daily Mail.

It is understood prosecutors are not alleging Baldwin had any intention to fire the bullet and generally intention is required for battery charges.

Souza, who was hospitalised after being shot in the shoulder, is understood to be returning to the set of Rust as director when filming resumes.

Alec Baldwin will not be charged for shooting Rust director Joel Souza. Picture: AFP

BALDWIN’S SHOCK PLAN AFTER RUST CHARGES

Alec Baldwin reportedly plans to continue filming Rust despite being charged with involuntary manslaughter over a fatal shooting during its production, which prosecutors said played “fast and loose” with safety.

As Baldwin was seen in New York for the first time since the charges were announced, reports emerged the actor and co-producer of Rust would complete the film that lead to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and the wounding of director Joel Souza.

The 64-year-old smiled as he left a Manhattan office building while his wife, Hilaria, attempted to distract the media with the promise of a statement while wearing a sweatshirt emblazoned with “EMPATHY”, according to The New York Post.

“Only going to say … once,” she began. “I’m not going to say anything to you. You know that.”

Alec Baldwin has been charged over the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins.

Despite charges against Baldwin and armourer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the production of Rust would continue to be completed with director Joel Souza, himself injured in the shooting, returning to helm the production, according to The New York Times.

Quoting a person with knowledge of the project who was granted anonymity to describe production plans, the Times reported that Baldwin would return to the lead role.

Production had been scheduled to resume in January following a settlement with the family of Ms Hutchings, which made her widower, Matthew Hutchins, an executive producer.

With Baldwin vowing to fight the charges and a lengthy legal drama to unfold, it’s unclear whether the scheduled January kick-off will continue or be further delayed.

Alec Baldwin on the set of movie 'Rust' in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Picture: Supplied

It’s also unclear if the production would see the return of Ms Gutierrez Reed, also charged with involuntary manslaughter, or first assistant director David Halls, who agreed to plead guilty to the misdemeanour charge of the negligent use of a deadly weapon.

Santa Fe’s district attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said in an interview with CNN that the production, of which Baldwin is a producer, had a “fast and loose” attitude to safety which led to the life rounds being mixed in with dummy rounds.

“And then they somehow got loaded into a gun handed off to Alec Baldwin. He didn’t check it. He didn’t do any of the things that he was supposed to do to make sure that he was safe or that anyone around him was safe,” she said.

“And then he pointed the gun at Halyna Hutchins and he pulled the trigger.”

While industry experts have said stringent safety rules that were ignored on the set, the actors union SAG-AFTRA called the charge against Baldwin “wrong and uninformed”.

“An actor’s job is not to be a firearms or weapons expert. Firearms are provided for their use under the guidance of multiple expert professionals directly responsible for the safe and accurate operation of that firearm,” the union said.

Originally published as Alec Baldwin defends ‘sexually suggestive’ photo caption