The release of the trailer for Rust, the Western starring Alec Baldwin most known for a fatal incident during filming, has caused division amongst fans online.
On October 21, 2021, on the set of the film, Baldwin discharged a revolver being used as a prop, unaware that it had been improperly loaded with live ammunition, resulting in the death of director of photography Halyna Hutchins.
The first footage from Rust has now been revealed in a new trailer – watch it below. It comes with a confirmed release date of March 2 in select US theatres, and will later be available on VOD.
Set in 1880s Kansas, it stars Baldwin as outlaw Harland Rust, who breaks a young boy (Patrick Scott McDermott) that accidentally killed a rancher and is sentenced to hang out of jail. The pair go on the run towards Mexico, chased by a US Marshal (Josh Hopkins) and bounty hunter (Travis Fimmel).
The trailer’s release, in the wake of Hutchins’ death and the controversy that has followed, led to some film fans sharing negative reactions online. One X user wrote: “Don’t think I’ll be watching”, and another posted: “Jesus: leave it on the shelf”.
Don't think i'll be watching
— Dean Salamouras (@DeanSalamouras) March 27, 2025
Jesus: leave it on the shelf.
— OfficialDrChrisX (@drchrisisfree) March 26, 2025
Another wrote; “The audacity. That ‘movie’ should never be seen. No respect for the family of that woman. What is wrong with people?”, whilst user @yourbestluna posted: “That’s gonna be a heavy release. Wonder how it’ll be received.”
The audacity. That "movie" should never be seen. No respect for the family of that woman. What is wrong with people?
— 💚Soy La Mejor💚 (@soylamejor) March 27, 2025
That’s gonna be a heavy release. 😔 Wonder how it’ll be received.
— Luna🌸 (@yourbestluna) March 27, 2025
Sadly, the cinematography is the only thing that looks good about it.
— 'The Mysterious' Jon Burrows (@realjonburrows) March 26, 2025
"Some things in this life you can't get back, I reckon." Very ironic line for this film.
— Political Junkbox (@politicojunkbox) March 26, 2025
Interesting, wonder what type of a reception it will get considering all the drama and sadness surrounding the making of the movie
— Queen Marjorie (@Queen_Marjorie2) March 26, 2025
In 2023, Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter in a case which was then dropped and was tried again in 2024. The case against him was dismissed last July, and officially concluded in December 2024 after New Mexico prosecutors decided not to pursue an appeal of the court’s decision to dismiss an involuntary manslaughter charge against him.
The film’s armourer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was convicted of manslaughter in April 2024 and remains imprisoned.
On January 11, Baldwin filed a lawsuit against the district attorney and other Santa Fe officials for malicious prosecution and civil rights violations. On February 15, Hutchins’ family filed a lawsuit against the actor and others involved in the production.
After the incident, Rust director Joel Souza explained that he had “no relationship” with Baldwin, saying: “We’re not friends. We’re not enemies.”
Baldwin and his family have since appeared in new reality show The Baldwins, in which the actor spoke out about his mental decline since the shooting.