"Rust Trailer: First Look at Alec Baldwin's Western After Fatal Shooting"

The first official trailer for *Rust*, the Western film starring Alec Baldwin, has officially dropped—marking a significant moment in the film’s long and complex journey. Set for theatrical release on May 2, 2025, the movie recently unveiled its full trailer, offering audiences a glimpse into its gritty frontier tale.

The film is set in 1880s Kansas and follows young Lucas McCalister (played by Patrick Scott McDermott), who finds himself in dire straits after accidentally killing a rancher and being sentenced to hang. Fate intervenes when his estranged grandfather, Harland Rust (portrayed by Alec Baldwin, an Academy Award nominee), a hardened and infamous outlaw, rescues him from jail and flees with him toward Mexico.

As the pair navigate the harsh wilderness, they must evade relentless pursuit from U.S. Marshal Wood Helm (Josh Hopkins) and a ruthless bounty hunter known only as "Preacher" (Travis Fimmel). The film promises a tense, emotional journey through the American frontier, exploring themes of family, redemption, and survival.

The release of the trailer also brings renewed attention to the tragic events that occurred during production. On October 22, 2021, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot and director Joel Souza injured when a prop gun fired by Alec Baldwin discharged unexpectedly. At the time, Baldwin was demonstrating how he would draw the weapon for a scene, pointing it toward the camera where Hutchins and Souza were standing.

The firearm, which was supposed to be a "cold gun" containing no live rounds, instead contained a live round—an error that led to devastating consequences. In April 2023, charges against Baldwin were ultimately dismissed, while armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, responsible for preparing the weapon, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

David Halls, the first assistant director tasked with verifying the weapon was safe, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon and received six months of probation.

Despite the tragedy, the film moved forward, and in November 2024, it had its world premiere at the Camerimage Festival in Poland. The screening included a heartfelt tribute to Halyna Hutchins in the credits. Alec Baldwin did not attend the event, but director Joel Souza was present and spoke about his late colleague.

“We are here in a place that she loved so much, probably second only to being on set,” Souza said during the premiere. “I want to thank you all for coming and for taking a few hours out of your day to come celebrate my friend and to celebrate her art and her talent. She really was something.”