Santa Fe, New Mexico – A trailer has been unveiled for the Western film “Rust,” starring Alec Baldwin. The production of the film took a tragic turn when a prop gun being handled by the actor accidentally killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza.
Set in 1880s Kansas, the storyline of “Rust” revolves around orphan Lucas McCalister, played by Patrick Scott McDermott, who finds himself in a situation where he is sentenced to hang after accidentally killing a rancher. In an unexpected turn of events, his estranged grandfather, the notorious outlaw Harland Rust, portrayed by Baldwin, breaks him out of jail. Together, they embark on a journey towards Mexico while being pursued by U.S. Marshal Wood Helm, played by Josh Hopkins, and a relentless bounty hunter named Preacher, portrayed by Travis Fimmel.
Following the on-set tragedy involving Halyna Hutchins, Baldwin faced involuntary manslaughter charges, which were later dismissed in July of the previous year due to the prosecution’s failure to provide evidence. Armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed was sentenced to 18 months in connection to Hutchins’ death after it was revealed that a live bullet had been loaded into Baldwin’s prop gun.
The film “Rust” premiered at Poland’s Camerimage Festival in November, where director Joel Souza and Bianca Cline, who took over cinematography duties after Hutchins’ passing, were in attendance. Notably, Baldwin was not invited to the event. During the festival, Souza expressed gratitude to the attendees for honoring Hutchins’ memory and talent, acknowledging her significant contribution to the film.
Reportedly, “Rust” is scheduled for release in theaters and on digital platforms on May 2, as revealed by People magazine. The film pays tribute to Halyna Hutchins in its closing credits, highlighting her impact on the project.
Fans of Western films and those intrigued by the circumstances surrounding the production of “Rust” can catch a glimpse of what to expect by watching the recently released trailer.