"Rust Trailer Unveils First Look at Alec Baldwin's Western Film After Tragic Shooting"

The much-anticipated first official trailer for the film "Rust" has been unveiled, marking a significant moment for a project that experienced a tragic incident during its production. The movie, starring Alec Baldwin, was marred by a devastating accident in October 2021 when a prop gun discharged by Baldwin fatally struck cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza. "Rust" is now scheduled to hit theaters on May 2, 2025, and you can view the trailer right here. The official synopsis of the film reads:

"In 1880s Kansas, recently orphaned Lucas McCalister (Patrick Scott McDermott) accidentally kills a rancher and is sentenced to hang," the synopsis explains. "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 that overshadowed the production occurred when Baldwin was rehearsing a scene, pointing the prop gun at the camera where Hutchins and Souza were positioned. The weapon, mistakenly loaded with a live round instead of being a "cold gun" as intended, discharged unexpectedly. In the aftermath, charges against Baldwin were dropped in April 2023, while Rust 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" made its premiere at Poland's Camerimage Festival in November 2024, where the film paid tribute to Hutchins during the credits. Although Baldwin was not present at the event, Souza attended and spoke about Hutchins, emphasizing her passion and talent. "We are here in a place that she loved so much, probably second only to being on set,” Souza said. “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."