Rust (upcoming film)

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

Rust
title page of a screenplay entitled "RUST"
Cover page of the script
Directed byJoel Souza
Screenplay byJoel Souza
Story by
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography
Production
companies
  • Rust Movie Productions
  • El Dorado Pictures
  • Cavalry Media
  • Thomasville Pictures
  • Brittany House Pictures
  • Short Porch Pictures
Distributed byThe Avenue
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$8 million[2]

In October 2021, production was temporarily suspended after a controversial and highly publicized firearms shooting incident, in which cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed when a gun being used as a prop was fired by Baldwin during the preparation for a scene; Souza was injured by the same projectile.

Filming was set to resume in January 2023, more than a year after the incident and ongoing lawsuits, but Baldwin was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter that month, putting his further involvement with the project into question. The charges were dropped against Baldwin on April 20, 2023, and filming resumed that same day,[3][4] concluding the next month.[5]

Premise

In 1880s Kansas, aging outlaw Harland Rust comes out of hiding to rescue his thirteen-year-old grandson Lucas, after he is sentenced to hang for an accidental murder. Now fugitives, the pair have to outrun both Rust's nemesis, U.S. Marshal Wood Helm, and the vicious bounty hunter Fenton "Preacher" Lang.[6][7]

Cast

Jensen Ackles initially filmed scenes for Rust before production stalled due to the shooting of Halyna Hutchins,[11] but left before it resumed due to scheduling conflicts. He was replaced by Hopkins.[12] Brady Noon was originally cast as Lucas Hollister but also exited when production resumed.[13][8]

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.[6] 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."[14]

Rust was being produced on a $6–7 million budget and has been described as a "passion project" for Baldwin.[15][16][17] The film's distribution rights were sold to The Avenue for $2 million during the pre-production phase.[18] Travis Fimmel, Brady Noon, and Frances Fisher joined the cast in September 2021,[19] with Jensen Ackles being cast the following month.[20] The production involved approximately 150 crew members, half of them local, 22 principal and 230 background actors from New Mexico.[21][22] The production had a filming schedule of 21 days.[18][23] Filming began in New Mexico on October 6, 2021.[24]

Shooting incident
This paragraph is an excerpt from Rust shooting incident.[edit]
On October 21, 2021, at the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Bonanza City, New Mexico, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot and director Joel Souza was injured on the set of the film Rust when a live round was discharged from a revolver used as a prop by actor Alec Baldwin.

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.[25][26][27]

Resumed production

In October 2022, the Hutchins family settled the lawsuit,[28] with filming set to resume in January 2023 in California, with Matthew Hutchins, Halyna's husband, as an executive producer.[1][29] 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.[30] On January 18, filming was delayed again after New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies decided to charge Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter.[31] 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.[32] The new shooting location was reported to be Yellowstone Film Ranch in Livingston, Montana.[33] Producers stated that the use of working weapons or ammunition would be prohibited.[32]

Production of the film resumed on April 20, 2023.[8][34] 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.[4] Meanwhile Patrick Scott McDermott was confirmed to have replaced Brady Noon.[13] By May 2023, the character played by Josh Hopkins was confirmed to have replaced that of Ackles, due to the latter leaving because of scheduling conflicts.[12] On April 24, 2023, Baldwin returned to the set to finish filming his scenes,[35] with the production concluding on May 22, 2023.[5]

Release

Rust is scheduled to be released in the United States by The Avenue.[18]

See also

Notes
  1. Hutchins died from a gunshot wound during production, but will retain credit with the intention to submit her work for cinematography awards.[1]

References
  1. Maddaus, Gene (October 19, 2022). "'Rust' Will Resume Production, but Not in New Mexico (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  2. Jacobs, Julia (April 25, 2023). "Alec Baldwin Returns to 'Rust', With Fake Guns and Rubber Bullets". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  3. "Alec Baldwin's Rust resumes filming after on-set tragedy". BBC News. April 20, 2023. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  4. Melas, Chloe (April 20, 2023). "Prosecutors plan to dismiss charges against Alec Baldwin in 'Rust' shooting, Baldwin's attorney tells CNN". CNN. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  5. Paul, Larisha (May 23, 2023). "Alec Baldwin Reaches End of 'Long and Difficult Road' as 'Rust' Wraps Filming". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 23, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  6. N'Duka, Amanda (May 29, 2020). "Alec Baldwin To Produce & Star In 'Rust' Western With 'Crown Vic's Joel Souza Directing". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 17, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  7. Aquilina, Tyler (October 23, 2021). "Everything we know about Rust, the Alec Baldwin film that resulted in a fatal shooting". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  8. D'Alessandro, Anthony; Patten, Dominic (April 21, 2023). "Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' Restarts Production In Montana; New Safety Officers Added To Film After Fatal 2021 Shooting". Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  9. D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 28, 2023). "Jake Busey Saddles Up For Alec Baldwin's 'Rust'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  10. D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 9, 2021). "Alec Baldwin Posts Letter From Rust Crew On Instagram: 'Descriptions; That Set Was 'Chaotic, Dangerous & Exploitative Workplace Are False'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  11. Truitt, Brian (June 3, 2022). "Uvalde school shooting hits home for Jensen Ackles: 'It's scary, and it doesn't need to happen'". USA Today. Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  12. Keegan, Rebecca (May 17, 2023). "Cannes: 'Rust' Producer Is "Realistic" About Film's Future Sales". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 21, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  13. Pat Saperstein (April 21, 2013). "As 'Rust' Resumes Filming in Montana, Alec Baldwin Is Working With Rory Kennedy on a Documentary". Variety. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  14. Ritman, Alex (June 21, 2020). "Alec Baldwin on His Upcoming Western, Filmmaking Post-Pandemic and Onscreen Versatility: 'I'm an Actor of the Old School'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 15, 2022. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  15. D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 23, 2021). "'Rust' Director Joel Souza 'Gutted By The Loss' Of DP Halyna Hutchins Following Tragedy On Alec Baldwin Western". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved October 23, 2021. We understand that the $7M production of Rust was 50% completed at the time of the tragic incident.
  16. Andreeva, Nellie (October 25, 2021). "Hollywood Studios Reviewing Gun Safety Protocols Following Fatal 'Rust' Shooting". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 19, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021. Rust had the budget of an average episode of a high-end drama series, about $6 million-$7 million, and a tight 21-day filming schedule.
  17. Keegan, Rebecca; Masters, Kim (November 4, 2021). "'Rust' Budget: Star, Producer and Armorer Fees Revealed". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 17, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  18. Flint, Joe (October 26, 2021). "Alec Baldwin's Low-Budget Film 'Rust' Was Never Meant for the Big Screen". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  19. Hipes, Patrick (September 14, 2021). "'Rust': Travis Fimmel, Brady Noon And Frances Fisher To Ride With Alec Baldwin In His Western". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  20. Kroll, Justin (October 12, 2021). "Jensen Ackles Joins Alec Baldwin In Western 'Rust'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  21. James, Meg (December 9, 2021). "'Rust' crew members claim set was not 'chaotic, dangerous' before fatal shooting". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  22. "The New Mexico Film Office Announces Rust is Currently Filming in New Mexico". New Mexico Economic Development Department. October 6, 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  23. Romero, Simon; Jacobs, Julia (October 24, 2021). "Alec Baldwin Was Rehearsing Pointing Gun at Camera, Affidavit Says". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  24. James, Meg (October 22, 2021). "Alec Baldwin 'Rust' camera crew walked off the set in protest before the fatal shooting". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  25. Kelner, Martha (November 7, 2021). "Alec Baldwin film shooting: Rust crew member in hospital for 'multiple surgeries' after spider bite". Sky News. Archived from the original on November 7, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  26. Garner, Glenn (November 8, 2021). "Rust Crew Member Hospitalized, Doctors Trying to 'Save His Arm from Amputation' After Spider Bite". PEOPLE.com. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  27. "Rust Crew Member Hospitalized, Doctors Trying to 'Save His Arm from Amputation' After Spider Bite". news.yahoo.com. November 9, 2021. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  28. Cho, Winston (October 5, 2022). "Halyna Hutchins' Family Settles Wrongful Death Suit Over 'Rust' Shooting". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  29. Kilkeeny, Katie (October 19, 2022). "'Rust' Makes Early Plans to Restart Production in California". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 20, 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  30. Maddaus, Gene (October 15, 2022). "'Rust' Production Restart Stirs Complicated Feelings for Crew: 'The Whole Thing Is Messy'". Variety. Archived from the original on October 15, 2022. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  31. Overhultz, Lauryn (January 18, 2023). "Alec Baldwin charged with involuntary manslaughter in fatal 'Rust' shooting: district attorney". Fox News. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  32. Hazelton, John (February 15, 2023). "'Rust' to resume production in spring with new cinematographer Bianca Cline". Kemps Film and TV Production Services Handbook. Archived from the original on February 15, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  33. D'Alessandro, Anthony; Patten, Dominic; Hipes, Patrick (February 22, 2023). "Rust Movie To Shoot In Montana In Spring As Alec Baldwin Criminal Case Looms – Update". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 22, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  34. "Alec Baldwin's Rust resumes filming after on-set tragedy". BBC News. April 20, 2023. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  35. Cho, Winston (April 24, 2023). "Alec Baldwin Back on 'Rust' Set As It Resumes Shooting in Montana". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 24, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
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