“Rust”: filming will resume this week in Montana

The filming of the western Rust with Alec Baldwin will resume this Thursday April 20 in Montana, the production announced on Tuesday April 18, a year and a half after the death of the director of photography because of an accidental shooting by the actor. The production had turned tragic on October 21, 2021, when Alec Baldwin had activated a weapon supposed to contain only blank bullets, but whose very real projectile had killed Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza. Charged with manslaughter, Alec Baldwin pleaded not guilty and always maintained his innocence.

“The production will continue to use unionized crew members and prohibit the use of work weapons and any form of ammunition,” explained production attorney Melina Spadone. “Live ammunition is – and always has been – prohibited on set,” she clarified. This rare news item had shocked Hollywood and provoked calls to ban firearms on the sets.

The 65-year-old actor, who is also a co-producer of the film, is currently under judicial supervision. In particular, he is prohibited from drinking alcohol and using firearms or dangerous weapons. Like him, the film's gunsmith, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, is also charged with manslaughter. If found guilty, the two defendants could face up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine. At the end of March, the film's first assistant director, Dave Halls, received a 6-month suspended prison sentence. It was he who had handed the gun at the heart of the drama to Alec Baldwin, assuring him that he was not dangerous, and he had agreed to plead guilty.

Filming for the film is set to resume with Halyna Hutchins' widower, Matthew, serving as executive producer. In October, he dropped his civil lawsuit against Alec Baldwin after an undisclosed settlement. The Ukrainian parents and the sister of the ex-director of photography, on the other hand, are still claiming civil damages.