The first official trailer for the movie "Rust" has been released, marking a significant moment for the film that was marred by tragedy during its production. Starring Alec Baldwin, the movie faced a devastating incident when a prop gun used by the actor accidentally discharged, resulting in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and the injury of director Joel Souza on October 22, 2021. "Rust" is scheduled to hit theaters on May 2, 2025, and the trailer can be viewed here. The official synopsis of the film provides insight into the storyline:
"In 1880s Kansas, recently orphaned Lucas McCalister (Patrick Scott McDermott) accidentally kills a rancher and is sentenced to hang," the synopsis reads. "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)."
The incident involving the prop gun was a result of Baldwin pointing the weapon at the camera where Hutchins and Souza were positioned, demonstrating how he would draw the gun from its holster. The gun, mistakenly loaded with a live round instead of being a "cold gun," discharged during this demonstration. In the aftermath, charges against Baldwin were dropped in April 2023. However, Rust's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, responsible for preparing the gun, was convicted 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" premiered at Poland's Camerimage Festival in November 2024, where it paid tribute to Halyna Hutchins during the credits. Although Alec Baldwin was not present at the event, 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.”
