Rust Trailer – The long-awaited trailer for Rust, starring Alec Baldwin, debuted on Wednesday, marking the first look at the Western film since the tragic on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021.
The trailer opens with sweeping shots of the open frontier, rustic storefronts, tense shootouts, and public hangings, setting a dramatic tone for the film. A foreboding voiceover declares, “The only order that exists in this world is the order we impose.”
Baldwin portrays outlaw Harland Rust, appearing in various scenes—sitting by a campfire, donning a weathered cowboy hat and overcoat. In one moment, he reflects solemnly, “Some things in this life you can’t get back, I reckon.”
The trailer also showcases Patrick Scott McDermott as Rust’s grandson, Lucas, gripping a firearm in multiple intense sequences.
Plot Synopsis
Set in 1880s Kansas, Rust follows young Lucas McCalister (Patrick Scott McDermott), who is sentenced to hang after accidentally killing a rancher. His estranged grandfather, the infamous outlaw Harland Rust (Alec Baldwin), stages a daring jailbreak, setting them both on a desperate escape toward Mexico. Along the way, they are relentlessly pursued by U.S. Marshal Wood Helm (Josh Hopkins) and a ruthless bounty hunter known as “Preacher” (Travis Fimmel).
The high-stakes Western, written and directed by Joel Souza, is set to hit theaters on May 2, 2025.
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The On-Set Tragedy & Legal Battle
The trailer’s release comes three and a half years after the fatal incident that occurred on set in October 2021. Hutchins was shot and killed when Baldwin discharged a Colt .45 revolver during a rehearsal. Director Joel Souza was also injured in the incident but survived.
In an exclusive 2021 interview with media, Baldwin stated he had “no idea” how a live round ended up on set, adding that he “didn’t pull the trigger.” However, an FBI forensic report released in August 2022 concluded that the firearm could not have discharged without the trigger being pulled. Baldwin’s attorneys pushed back on the findings, arguing that the gun was defective.
Following the incident, production on Rust was halted indefinitely but resumed in April 2023. Notably, Hutchins’s husband, Matthew Hutchins, took on the role of executive producer for the film.
Legal Fallout & Convictions
Both Alec Baldwin and the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez, were initially charged with involuntary manslaughter.
- Gutierrez was found guilty and sentenced to 18 months in prison—the maximum sentence for the charge. She later appealed, but in September 2024, a judge denied her request for a new trial.
- The charge against Baldwin was dropped in 2023, but he was later indicted again in January 2024. Baldwin pleaded not guilty, and the case was dismissed in July 2024.
Final Thoughts
Despite the tragedy surrounding its production, Rust is now set for release, offering audiences a dramatic Western tale with a star-studded cast. As Baldwin returns to the big screen, the film’s legacy remains deeply intertwined with the events that unfolded on set.
Will Rust be able to stand on its own as a cinematic experience, or will the shadow of its past define its future?
The film arrives in theaters on May 2, 2025.
