Rust (2024 Film)

''Rust'' is a 2024 American Western film written and directed by Joel Souza. It stars Alec Baldwin (who also produced and co-wrote the story with Souza), Patrick Scott McDermott, Josh Hopkins, Frances Fisher, and Travis Fimmel. The film gained notoriety for a shooting incident in 2021, wherein cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was accidentally killed when a live round was discharged from a prop revolver that Baldwin was using. It premiered at the Polish film festival Camerimage on November 20, 2024, and is scheduled for a theatrical release on May 2, 2025.

Premise

In 1880s Kansas, elderly outlaw Harland Rust comes out of hiding to rescue his thirteen-year-old nephew Lucas Hollister, after he is sentenced to hang for an accidental killing. Now fugitives, the pair have to outrun the vicious bounty hunter Fenton "Preacher" Lang.

Cast

* Alec Baldwin as Harland Rust, an elderly outlaw
* Patrick Scott McDermott as Lucas Hollister, Rust's nephew. Brady Noon was originally cast as Lucas but when production was delayed for over a year, his other commitments made him unable to re-commit to the role.
* Travis Fimmel as Fenton "Preacher" Lang, a bounty hunter after Rust
* Frances Fisher as Lucas' grandaunt
* Jake Busey as Drum Parker
* Josh Hopkins as Wood Helm, a sheriff. Jensen Ackles was originally cast as Helm before being replaced by Hopkins, because the delayed production caused scheduling conflicts.
* Devon Werkheiser as Boone LaFontaine

Production

Development

In May 2020, it was announced that Alec Baldwin would produce and star in ''Rust'', a Western based on a story he created with writer and director Joel Souza. Baldwin told ''The Hollywood Reporter'' that he was elated to work with Souza after missing the opportunity to star in ''Crown Vic'' (2019). He compared the screenplay to the film ''Unforgiven'' (1992), and said it was inspired by a true story. When asked about his gun slinging and horse riding skills, he said: "They're always at the ready. I'm an actor of the old school. So if you read my resume—my motorcycle riding, my French, juggling, my horseback riding, my gunplay—is all right at my fingertips at all times."

In October 2021, production was suspended after cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot when a gun being used as a prop was fired by Baldwin during the preparation for a scene; Souza was injured by the same round. A number of lawsuits were filed and eventually manslaughter charges were filed against Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. Filming finally restarted in April 2023 and was completed soon after. Gutierrez-Reed was ultimately found guilty but Baldwin was acquitted.

''Rust'' was being produced on a $6–7 million budget and has been described as a "passion project" for Baldwin. The film's distribution rights were sold to The Avenue for $2 million during the pre-production phase. Travis Fimmel, Brady Noon, and Frances Fisher joined the cast in September 2021, with Jensen Ackles being cast the following month. The production involved approximately 150 crew members, half of them local, 22 principal and 230 background actors from New Mexico. The production had a filming schedule of 21 days. Filming began in New Mexico on October 6, 2021.

Shooting incident

Spider bite incident

In November 2021, weeks after the shooting incident, lamp operator and pipe rigger Jason Miller was bitten in the arm by a brown recluse spider while closing the set. Miller suffered necrosis and sepsis. He was hospitalized and underwent multiple surgeries to avoid amputation of his arm.

Resumed production

In October 2022, the Hutchins family settled the lawsuit, with filming set to resume in January 2023 in California, with Matthew Hutchins, Halyna's husband, as an executive producer. Many of the film's crew gave mixed reactions towards the news, with some supporting it and planning on resuming their work on it, but others condemning the decision and deciding not to return. On January 18, filming was delayed again after New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies decided to charge Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter. In February 2023, it was reported that filming would resume in spring 2023 with Souza directing and Bianca Cline as cinematographer. Grant Hill was added as producer. The new shooting location was reported to be Yellowstone Film Ranch in Livingston, Montana. Producers stated that the use of working weapons or ammunition would be prohibited.

Production of the film resumed on April 20, 2023. The same day, it was reported that prosecutors had informed Baldwin that the charges against him were being dropped and the new, updated cast was released. Meanwhile, Patrick Scott McDermott was confirmed to have replaced Noon. By May 2023, Jensen Ackles left because of scheduling conflicts; a new character is played by Josh Hopkins. On April 24, 2023, Baldwin returned to the set to finish filming his scenes, with the production concluding on May 22, 2023.

Release

''Rust'' held its world premiere at Camerimage on November 20, 2024, in Torun, Poland. The film was picked up by Falling Forward Films in the US with plans to release on 150 screens, while Decal Releasing will handle the home release. According to Falling Forward Films' website, the release date is set for May 2, 2025.

See also

* List of film and television accidents

References

External links

*

{{Portal bar, United States, Film, Kansas

2020s American films
2020s English-language films
2024 Western (genre) films
American Western (genre) films
Films about capital punishment
Films about outlaws
Films produced by Grant Hill (producer)
Films set in Kansas
Films set in the 1880s
Films shot in Montana
Films shot in New Mexico
Upcoming English-language films
English-language Western (genre) films