Rust (upcoming film)

Rust is an upcoming American Western film written and directed by Joel Souza. The film stars Alec Baldwin (who also produced and co-wrote the story with Souza), Patrick Scott McDermott, Travis Fimmel, Frances Fisher, and Josh Hopkins.

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.

Filming was set to resume in January 2023 amidst ongoing lawsuits, but Baldwin was charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter that month, putting his further involvement with the project into question. After charges were dropped against Baldwin on April 20, 2023, filming resumed that same day, and concluded the following month. The charges against Baldwin were reinstated in January 2024. Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison on April 15, 2024. Other legal proceedings are ongoing, including civil charges against Baldwin and others. On July 12, 2024, the criminal case against Baldwin was dismissed with prejudice after it was found the state withheld evidence from Baldwin's defense team.

Premise
In 1880s Kansas, aging 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 both Rust's nemesis, U.S. Marshal Wood Helm, and the vicious bounty hunter Fenton "Preacher" Lang.

Cast

 * Alec Baldwin as Harland Rust
 * Patrick Scott McDermott as Lucas Hollister, Rust's nephew. Brady Noon was originally cast as Lucas but exited when production resumed.
 * Travis Fimmel as Fenton "Preacher" Lang, a bounty hunter after Rust.
 * Frances Fisher as Lucas' grandaunt
 * Jake Busey as Drum Parker

Additionally, Josh Hopkins and Devon Werkheiser are cast in undisclosed roles. Jensen Ackles initially filmed scenes, before being replaced by Hopkins.

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."

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.

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, the character played by Josh Hopkins was confirmed to have replaced that of Ackles, who had left because of scheduling conflicts. On April 24, 2023, Baldwin returned to the set to finish filming his scenes, with the production concluding on May 22, 2023.

Release
Rust is scheduled to be released in the United States by The Avenue.

Marketing
A first look at the film was released on January 2, 2024, showcasing Halyna Hutchins' work on the cinematography and her visual style.