The official Rust trailer starring Alec Baldwin, debuted Wednesday—more than three years after the on-set shooting that resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021.
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A Gritty Western Storyline
Set against sweeping landscapes and classic Western aesthetics, the trailer showcases rugged terrain, rustic storefronts, public hangings, and intense shootouts.
“The only order that exists in this world is the order we impose,” a voice ominously declares offscreen.
Baldwin plays Harland Rust, a notorious outlaw. In one scene, he sits by a campfire, dressed in a cowboy hat and worn overcoat, stating:
“Some things in this life you can’t get back, I reckon.”
Patrick Scott McDermott, playing Rust’s grandson Lucas, appears in several scenes wielding a firearm.
Plot Synopsis
According to the film’s official synopsis:
“In 1880s Kansas, recently orphaned Lucas McCalister (Patrick Scott McDermott) accidentally kills a rancher and is sentenced to hang. His estranged grandfather, the notorious outlaw Harland Rust (Alec Baldwin), rescues him from jail, and the two go on the run toward Mexico. As they traverse the unforgiving wilderness, they must evade U.S. Marshal Wood Helm (Josh Hopkins) and the ruthless bounty hunter known as ‘Preacher’ (Travis Fimmel).”
The Controversial Incident That Halted Production
The trailer’s release comes amid ongoing legal battles and public scrutiny surrounding the 2021 on-set shooting.
During rehearsals, Baldwin discharged a Colt .45 prop revolver, fatally wounding Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza.
In a 2021 interview, Baldwin told media:
“I didn’t pull the trigger.”
However, an FBI forensic report released in August 2022 concluded that the gun could not have been fired without pulling the trigger. Baldwin’s attorneys contested the findings, arguing that the firearm was in poor condition and had misfired.
Legal Aftermath
Following the tragedy:
- Both Alec Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez were charged with involuntary manslaughter.
- A jury found Gutierrez guilty, sentencing her to 18 months in prison. She later appealed but was denied a retrial in September 2024.
- The charges against Baldwin were initially dropped, but in January 2024, he was re-indicted and later pleaded not guilty. The case was dismissed in July 2024.
Production Resumes & Release Date Announced
Following an indefinite pause, Rust resumed production in April 2023, with Halyna Hutchins’ husband, Matthew Hutchins, stepping in as an executive producer.
Directed by Joel Souza, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Baldwin, Rust is set to hit theaters on May 2, 2024.
Watch the official trailer below.
