Rust Producer Remains Hopeful the Film Will Be Finished After Police Investigation

The Alec Baldwin western movie Rust was pretty far along in production before shutting down in October 2021 due to the infamous incident on the set that took the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. A firearm declared by crew members to be a “cold gun” wound up discharging a live round while Baldwin was preparing to shoot his next scene, fatally wounding Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Currently, cops are still investigating the case, and the biggest question that remains is how exactly live rounds had gotten onto the set in the first place.

Baldwin has since revealed that he had attempted to move forward with the film’s production after Hutchins’ death. According to Baldwin, the other cast and crew members had agreed to return to complete the film with some of the proceeds going to the Hutchins family. Those plans were halted when Hutchins’ widower filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Baldwin and others involved with Rust, seemingly leaving the movie unfinished forever.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

However, the film’s producers have not pulled the plug after all, even if the project is currently shelved as police continue to investigate the tragedy. Per The Hollywood Reporter, producer Anjul Nigam is hopeful that production will get back on track after the investigation is officially completed. After first declaring the team is “confident” they will be able to finish the film, Nigam clarified that this is the optimistic goal and that nothing is set in stone at this time.

“My statement that I was confident the film could be completed was just my optimism, and not an actual plan. Many of those who were involved hope to honor Halyna by completing her last work, but at this point it is just hope.”

Nigam will also reunite with Baldwin for another project. Called False Awakening, the producer compares the film to creepy genre movies like The Sixth Sense and Hereditary. Baldwin will play a psychologist who assists the protagonist with sleepwalking episodes.

Related: The Crow Reboot: Plot, Cast, and Everything Else We Know

The Rust Incident Reminds Many of Brandon Lee’s Death

Miramax

There have been many comparisons made between the Rust tragedy and the death of Brandon Lee. In 1992, Lee was filming The Crow when an improperly loaded prop firearm accidentally killed him. In that case, the decision was ultimately made to complete the film, utilizing stand-ins to work around the footage Lee hadn’t yet shot. Halyna Hutchins’ death on the set of Rust renewed conversations over safety regulations on movie and television sets, and even Lee’s family got involved.

“I have been in contact with my mom and with my brother’s fiancee. A lot of people have been reaching out. It’s stirring up a lot of emotions — and frustration,” Shannon Lee told THR soon after the incident. “There are rules that are supposed to be followed. I am certainly not pointing fingers at anyone because that would be the wrong thing to do. But there is no reason for something like this to happen.”

She added, “My heart goes out to Alec Baldwin. I feel for the work he is going to have to do to process this and try to find some measure of peace around it. And even more so for the family of Halyna Hutchins. It’s having your whole world flip upside down. There should be compassion for all the pain everyone is going through.”

About The Author

Jeremy Dick
(5763 Articles Published)

Jeremy Dick has been a writer and editor since 2014. He is a self-professed horror expert, pop culture enthusiast, and Bob Saget fanatic.

More From Jeremy Dick

You can view the original article HERE.