‘Rust’ Director Joel Souza Finished Film for Halyna Hutchins
Director Joel Souza Opens Up About the Tragic ‘Rust’ Set Accident and Film’s Completion
The Western movie Rust is set to hit theaters this Friday, nearly four years after the tragic on-set shooting involving actor Alec Baldwin. Director Joel Souza, who was also injured during the incident that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, says completing the film was both painful and necessary.
In an interview with The Guardian, Souza discussed the emotional journey of returning to finish Rust, the controversy around Baldwin’s’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’ role, and how Hutchins’ legacy played a central part in the film’s completion.
Alec Baldwin Shooting Incident Casts Long Shadow Over ‘Rust’
The Rust movie became infamous after the 2021 shooting in which a prop gun held by Alec Baldwin discharged, killing Hutchins and injuring Souza. The event halted production and sparked widespread debate about gun safety on film sets.
Souza recalled, “Bad decision after bad decision was made. I wish I never wrote the damn movie.”
Despite initially being “repelled by the thought” of returning, Souza changed his mind. He couldn’t bear the idea of someone else finishing the film and was moved by Hutchins’ family’s desire to see her final work completed.
Emotional Return to Set for Joel Souza
Souza described the return to filming as emotionally overwhelming.
“I was a mess going in and a mess coming out,” he said. “The crew carried me through. My family carried me through.”
He insisted on honoring Hutchins in a unique way. Although cinematographer Bianca Cline helped finish the film, Hutchins is credited second only to Souza—a rare tribute in Hollywood.
Souza said he also insisted on hiring a female cinematographer after being told, “‘Women can’t shoot Westerns.’ I thought, ‘Forget that—I’m only hiring women.’”
Joel Souza Reacts to Alec Baldwin’s Reality Show
When asked whether he had watched The Baldwins—a reality show about Alec Baldwin and his family that aired during his manslaughter trial—Souza responded with dark humor.
“I think I was busy hitting myself in the face with a frying pan that night,” he said.
The trial ended with the charges against Baldwin being dismissed, but public interest in the case remains high. Many are now watching to see how Rust performs at the box office amid ongoing scrutiny.
‘Rust’ Movie Release Marks a New Chapter
The upcoming release of Rust is more than just a film debut. It’s a tribute to Halyna Hutchins and a symbol of resilience in the face of tragedy.
Key things to know about Rust’s release:
- The movie opens nationwide this Friday.
- Halyna Hutchins is prominently honored in the credits.
- Directed by Joel Souza, who was injured during the 2021 accident.
- Cinematography completed by Bianca Cline, following Souza’s commitment to hiring women.
Call to Action: Experience the Film That Sparked a Conversation
Rust has become more than a Western. It is a reminder of what can happen when safety is overlooked and voices are silenced. Joel Souza’s decision to finish the film was driven by a promise—to honor Halyna Hutchins and bring closure to a story that shook Hollywood.
Watch Rust in theaters this Friday and witness the film that changed the conversation around movie set safety forever.
#RustMovie #AlecBaldwin #HalynaHutchins #JoelSouza #FilmNews