Alec Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter in the fatal shooting of filmmaker Halina Hutchins on the set of the movie “Rust.” The actor, according to the BBC, submitted his statement online and also waived his right to a virtual court hearing set for Friday.

Prosecutors are accusing the actor of “criminal negligence,” and he faces up to 18 months in prison if convicted. On Wednesday, “Rust” producers said they will resume filming in the spring after moving the location to Montana.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film’s gunsmith, who was in charge of the weapons on set, is also charged with involuntary manslaughter. He is expected to appear in court Friday afternoon.

On Monday, prosecutors dropped the gun-carrying charge originally filed against the actor-producer, who no longer faces years in prison. Had Baldwin, 64, been convicted of the involuntary manslaughter and accessory after the fact charges, he would have faced a mandatory five years in prison. A charge of involuntary manslaughter is pending for the shooting, but the crime carries an 18-month sentence if convicted.

The actor’s attorney, Luke Nikas, said his client “had no reason to believe there was a real bullet in the gun or anywhere on the movie set. He relied on the professionals he worked with who assured him that the gun had no live bullets.”

“Rust” director Joel Souza was also shot and wounded in the same incident.

In early February, Halina Hutchins’ parents and sister sued Alec Baldwin and the production company over her death.