The first official trailer for the movie "Rust," starring Alec Baldwin, has been released. This film, set to hit theaters on May 2, 2025, carries a somber note due to a tragic incident during its production. On October 22, 2021, a prop gun used by Baldwin accidentally discharged, fatally wounding cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. The incident occurred as Baldwin was demonstrating how he would draw his weapon from its holster, pointing it at the camera where Hutchins and Souza were positioned.
The film's official synopsis provides a glimpse into its narrative: "In 1880s Kansas, recently orphaned Lucas McCalister (Patrick Scott McDermott) accidentally kills a rancher and is sentenced to hang. In a twist of fate, his estranged grandfather, the notorious outlaw Harland Rust (Academy Award nominee Alec Baldwin), breaks him out of jail and takes him on the run toward Mexico. As they flee across the unforgiving wilderness, the fugitive pair must outrun the determined U.S. Marshal Wood Helm (Josh Hopkins) and a ruthless bounty hunter named 'Preacher' (Travis Fimmel)." You can watch the trailer [ttpp].
The prop gun involved was mistakenly labeled as a "cold gun," meaning it was supposed to be free of live ammunition. However, this was not the case. In the aftermath, charges against Baldwin were dropped in April 2023. Rust's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was responsible for preparing the gun, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison. First assistant director David Halls, tasked with ensuring the gun was safe, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon and received six months of probation.
"Rust" made its premiere at Poland's Camerimage Festival in November 2024, where it paid tribute to Halyna Hutchins during the credits. Alec Baldwin was not present at the event, but Joel Souza attended and spoke about Hutchins, saying, "We are here in a place that she loved so much, probably second only to being on set. I want to thank you all for coming and for taking a few hours out of your day to come celebrate my friend and to celebrate her art and her talent. She really was something."
