Rust Director Reveals Shocking Truth About Baldwin’s Reality Show and Movie Set Tragedy

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Joel Souza, the head of Rust, has openly expressed his thoughts about the reality show The Baldwins, where Alec Baldwin is back in front of the cameras following the life-altering incident on the set of Rust. It’s worth mentioning that Souza and Baldwin are not particularly close these days, and when asked if he watched The Baldwins when it debuted, the director was straightforward: “I believe I was occupied with slapping myself with a frying pan that evening.

Souza isn’t finding pleasure in the release of his recent western thriller, “Rust,” starring Baldwin. The tragic incident that occurred during filming in 2021, where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot after Baldwin handled a gun containing live ammunition, still haunts many. After a lengthy legal process, convictions were handed out to some, while others’ charges were dropped, and production eventually continued. The film is now available in theaters, but it’s a bittersweet occasion for all involved.

The director discussed with The Guardian the film’s release, finishing it following a tragic event, and discovering a situation where he felt compelled to heal for the sake of his colleague’s memory. “The family felt it was important to finish the project,” Souza explained about returning to set, taking up the director’s seat once more to bring the movie to completion.

I found it unbearable thinking that someone else would take care of it. I was in turmoil before, during, and after the situation. It was my team and my family who helped me get through it. Mentally, I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions.

In a subsequent collaboration with Baldwin, Souza established terms that suited him. If there was a possibility of his return to set, certain alterations were necessary: “I wasn’t trying to trample on anyone. But I wanted to avoid unnecessary conflicts. That was the only means for me to navigate this situation.” The film eventually went into distribution, with the stipulation that all earnings would be given to Hutchins’ family. However, the director grappled with the emotional burden of revisiting the event where he was wounded by the same bullet that claimed his colleague’s life.

Reflecting on the series of unfortunate incidents that unfolded that very morning, I can’t help but regret each poor choice I made… If only I hadn’t penned that screenplay.

Has Hollywood Changed Its Policies After the ‘Rust’ Incident?

It’s astonishing how, despite previous incidents like Brandon Lee’s death on the set of “The Crow,” tragic shooting accidents still occur on movie sets. In fact, such unfortunate events have happened more often than one might assume. Even with advancements in safety measures over the past few years, it seems that caution should never be overlooked. Souza shared a chilling anecdote about encountering another cinematographer who discovered live ammunition in a prop gun during filming.

“Initially, it managed to pass the truck and the initial inspection, but they discovered it at the very last moment. He mentioned that this was a significant film production set. He added, ‘It seems people don’t change. Everyone feels as though you were merely unfortunate.’

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2025-05-02 22:32