Production on Rust has resumed in Montana, and simultaneously, star Alec Baldwin is participating in a documentary being made about the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. In October 2021, Baldwin was preparing to film a scene for the Western when the prop gun he was holding discharged a live round, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Production was shut down immediately as a lengthy investigation commenced. Criminal charges were filed against Baldwin in relation to the accident, but they have since been dropped.
Now, per Variety, details have emerged about a documentary that filmmaker Rory Kennedy (Last Days in Vietnam, Ethel) is working on which will detail the Rust accident. Baldwin is working with Kennedy on the doc, and the director was seen filming the actor in New York as he prepared to travel to Montana to resume filming Rust. Kennedy and her documentary team are also reportedly on the Montana set to record footage of the production to be used for the documentary.
It's one of multiple documentaries about the Rust tragedy that are currently in the works. This is separate from another doc that will focus primarily on the aftermath of the incident, this one from director Rachel Mason and producer Julee Metz. Hutchins' widower, Matthew Hutchins, is cooperating with this doc to help tell his late wife's story.
Rust Resumes Production in Montana
Filming is back underway on Rust, though it comes with some obvious but big changes. That includes completely barring the use of working weaponry for props on the set, along with a reiteration that no live ammo will be around either. This is something that is starting to become the norm with many other productions taking similar measures as a result of what happened with Halyna Hutchins.
"The production will continue to utilize union crew members and will bar any use of working weapons and any form of ammunition," Rust lawyer Melina Spadone said in a statement. "Live ammunition is — and always was — prohibited on set. Each and every one of us is wholeheartedly dedicated to realizing Halyna’s vision and paying tribute to her artistry."
Matthew Hutchins has also joined the project as an executive producer. He had previously filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Baldwin and the Rust team, but he joined the project when the two sides reached a settlement. It's also been revealed that Bianca Cline (Marcel the Shell With Shoes On) is filling in as director for the rest of the production, and she'll be donating her salary to charity in honor of Hutchins.
Rust doesn't yet have a release date.