The first trailer for the western film Rust has emerged, more than three years after the tragic death of its cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, who was killed on set in New Mexico. Alec Baldwin, both a star and co-producer of the film, faced involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with the incident, but the case was dismissed shortly into the trial last year.
In the trailer, Baldwin portrays Harland Rust, an outlaw on the run, traversing the wilds of 1880s Kansas while engaging in classic shootouts with rivals. The storyline revolves around Rust’s grandson, Lucas McCalister, an orphan who accidentally kills a rancher and receives a death sentence until his grandfather breaks him out of jail. Together, they are pursued by a determined US Marshal and a merciless bounty hunter, referred to as ‘Preacher’.
Hutchins is credited posthumously as the cinematographer, alongside Bianca Cline, who stepped in when production resumed. Notably, Hutchins’ husband, Matthew Hutchins, is listed as an executive producer. Reports indicate that Matthew and their son, Andros, will receive profits from the film, as outlined in a settlement tied to a wrongful death lawsuit, while the original producers will not earn financially from the project.
The incident that led to Hutchins’ death occurred in 2021 when Baldwin discharged a prop gun containing a live round during a rehearsal, which tragically resulted in her death and injured director Joel Souza. Baldwin pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter charge, which was subsequently dropped due to prosecutorial issues with evidence distribution. He could have faced up to 18 months in prison had the case proceeded. In a related case, the film’s armourer was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter last year and received an 18-month sentence.
Rust is scheduled for release in US cinemas and on video on demand in May of this year, marking a significant step forward for the production amid its tumultuous past.