Joel Souza, writer-director of the film Rust, recently spoke out in a four-hour interview with Vanity Fair about the tragic incident that took place on the set of the movie. On October 21, 2021, star and producer Alec Baldwin held a prop gun that was loaded with a live bullet, which went off, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring Souza. A judge dismissed the involuntary manslaughter case against Baldwin, citing suppressed evidence, while the movie’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, is serving an 18-month prison sentence.
In the interview, Souza praised Hutchins and revealed that the scene that led to the accident will be cut from the final version of the film. The family of Hutchins has reached a settlement with the producers, including her husband, and will receive a percentage of Rust’s earnings. Souza also shared the intense emotional toll the shooting had on him, including severe nightmares and thoughts of not wanting to live anymore. He expressed a strong opinion against using real guns on movie sets and believes that all firearms should be fake, regardless of the presence of an armorer.
Despite the tragic incident, Souza stated that he and Baldwin are not friends or enemies and that their relationship is neutral. The filming of Rust wrapped in March, but the release of the film remains uncertain, with reports suggesting that distributors have rejected it. Souza clarified that these reports are inaccurate. Dutch Merrick, an experienced armorer and prop master, has created a Prop Gun Safety Training course in response to the Rust shooting, aiming to improve gun safety on film sets. The eight-hour course covers basic gun safety, set awareness, and handling props that simulate firearms.
Merrick emphasizes the need for technical changes in the industry, including the creation of an occupation code for armorers within the IATSE union. He believes that such a code would set minimum standards for licensing and training, ensuring that only qualified individuals handle firearms on set. Merrick also advocates for all personnel on film sets to undergo gun safety training, not just prop masters and assistants. He highlights the importance of building confidence and knowledge around handling firearms to prevent future tragedies. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for help.
