Joel Souza, the writer and director of “Rust,” expressed deep regret over his involvement in the film.
Speaking to The Guardian, Souza admitted, “I wish I never wrote the damn movie.” The film, set for U.S. release, was marred by a tragic incident during filming in 2021 that resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injury to Souza.
Reflecting on the chain of events that led to the fatal shooting, Souza lamented the series of bad decisions made that day. Despite his initial reluctance to continue with the project after the tragedy, he ultimately completed it at the request of Hutchins’ family.
Furthermore, a settlement was reached with Hutchins’ estate, Alec Baldwin, and the production company, with a portion of the film’s earnings going to her family. Matthew Hutchins, Halyna’s widower, agreed to executive-produce the rest of the film as part of the agreement.
Czarek Sokolowski via Associated Press
Despite the tragedy, “Rust” received positive reviews at its premiere in November 2024. Souza, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, acknowledged the emotional weight of completing the film post-tragedy.
Souza encouraged viewers to appreciate the visual elements and Hutchins’ cinematography in the film, emphasizing the unique opportunity to see the world through her eyes.
Notably, the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, underscoring the tragic consequences of the incident on set.
