Rust images reveal the first look at Alec Baldwin’s Western over three years after an on-set tragedy sparked multiple legal battles. Over three years ago, tragedy struck on set of the Western when a prop gun handled by Baldwin accidentally discharged a live round, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. The accidental death sparked an extensive investigation and multiple legal battles involving Baldwin, though all criminal charges against him were dropped. However, the movie’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter.
Now, over three years after the fatal on-set shooting occurred, the first images from Rust have been revealed via Vanity Fair. They show Alec Baldwin in character as the тιтular Harland Rust and Patrick Scott McDermott as his nephew, Lucas Hollister, alongside several other characters in the Western. Additionally, the work of the late cinematographer Halyna Hutchins is on full display. Check out the images in the slideshow below:
What Rust’s First Images Mean For The Movie
Halyna Hutchins’ Work Has Been Revealed
The first images from Rust reveal the plot of the Western, which has been a complete afterthought ever since the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins. Set in 1880s Kansas, the film follows an aging outlaw named Harland Rust (Alec Baldwin) who comes out of retirement to rescue his 13-year-old nephew, Lucas Hollister (Patrick Scott McDermott), who has been sentenced to hang to death for committing an accidental killing. The two go on the run, and are pursued by the relentless bounty hunter, Fenton “Preacher” Lang (Travis Fimmel).
The images also reveal the work of the late cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The second image showcases an especially stunning scene of Harland Rust and his nephew riding off into the desert on horseback, silhouetted by the sunrise, which was captured by the late cinematographer during the early days of filming. There are also several images filmed by cinematographer Bianca Cline, including Josh Hopkins as U.S. Marshal Wood Helm and Lucas Hollister on trial, which were filmed in the follow-up production to complete Rust, often recreating earlier footage sH๏τ by Hutchins.
Our Take On Rust’s First Images
Should The Film Be Released?
Ever since Halyna Hutchins was tragically killed on-set, there has been much debate about whether Rust should even be released. However, releasing the film is perhaps the best way to honor the late cinematographer’s work. As the images show, she created some iconic Western imagery, such as sweeping desert landscapes and lone rangers on horseback, capturing the rugged beauty of the Western terrain. Though Rust has been shrouded in tragedy and legal battles, perhaps the images will begin to inspire an appreciation for the late cinematographer’s work.
Rust still does not yet have a release date.
Source: Vanity Fair
