Alec Baldwin’s film Rust, which became infamous after the tragic on-set death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021, will finally be released in May. The Western drama’s trailer, which debuted on Wednesday, shows Baldwin portraying a notorious outlaw who helps his grandson escape from jail after the boy is sentenced to death for murder. Directed by Joel Souza, Rust will hit selected theaters and be available on video-on-demand starting May 2.
According to a news release, the film’s original producers will not financially benefit from its release. As part of a wrongful death settlement, Hutchins’ husband, Matthew Hutchins, and their son, Andros, will receive profits from the movie.
The film’s release comes four years after Hutchins’ tragic death on October 21, 2021, during a scene rehearsal at Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe County, New Mexico. Baldwin was holding a prop gun when it discharged a live round, fatally wounding Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Baldwin has maintained that he did not pull the trigger and was told the gun was empty.
The incident led to widespread calls for greater firearm safety on movie sets, and multiple lawsuits followed. Baldwin and Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed were charged with involuntary manslaughter. However, in July 2024, a New Mexico judge dismissed the charges against Baldwin, ruling that prosecutors had hidden evidence related to the shooting. Baldwin’s defense argued that the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office had failed to disclose live rounds of ammunition in their case file.
Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey denied the claim, stating that the ammunition was unrelated to the case.
In March 2024, Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for her negligence on set but was acquitted of tampering with evidence. She was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
The film’s upcoming release marks a significant milestone for a project that was initially overshadowed by tragedy. Fans and critics alike are now awaiting its arrival amid a complex and painful history.
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