The cast of the controversialWesternfilmRusthas commented on the film’s release after a difficult process to complete production after cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was accidentally shot and killed on set in October 2021. In 2023, production resumed, and while some returned to finish their scenes, others had to be replaced. Among the new stars were Patrick Scott McDermott and Josh Hopkins, who replaced Brady Noon and Jensen Ackles, respectively, due to scheduling reasons. It was McDermott and Hopkins who shared their comments on completing theAlec Baldwinmovie, which is now in cinemas.
In a conversation withEntertainment Weekly, the actors opened up about finishing and releasing what’s already a controversial movie. Even though Hutchins' family settled with production, and they’re set to receive the film’s eventual profits, the project has been met with divisive reactions from the public. Baldwin, as the actor who was manipulating the pistol containing a live round and the producer of the film, has seen his career take a hit that he will likely never quite recover from. Hopkins just hopes that people will understand that releasing the movie was not a cash grab, and they’re also trying to honor the late cinematographer:
“It could be construed as something that it really is not. I hope people understand that this was the family’s wishes. They wanted the world to see Halyna’s art, and I feel honored to have participated in fulfilling those wishes.”
In ‘Rust,’ a Magnificent Western Rises From the Ashes of Tragedy
An infamous outlaw (Alec Baldwin) and his rescued grandson (Patrick Scott McDermott) are pursued across the American frontier in ‘Rust.’
He also says that when he became part of the cast, the first thing he did was contact Hutchins' family to determine whether they agreed with the film being completed: “When they first talked about coming back, Matt, Halyna’s husband, and I got on a Zoom because I really needed to see him eye-to-eye rather than hear he wanted this finished. He asked me to come back.” The actor also says that arriving on set was not easy for him: “I cannot lie. It was surreal and very odd. It’s something I never expected to happen, but there was a sense of purpose I had not felt in a film before.”
Everyone knew that this was now much more important than it was before. Everyone had a heavy heart but also now a newfound responsibility and reason to be there that was much greater than ourselves.
The film has received mixed reviews, with our own Julian Romanpraising it and saying, “Rustis a solid Western that’s far more artistic, layered, and complex than its unfortunate production problems. There’s even a smidgen of humor to balance the tone. Some may criticize the climax as being predictable, but you have to give Souza, who was also wounded in the accident, credit for finishing his vision under the worst circumstances. Hutchins is rightly honored. Those who loved her can take comfort in the fact that the film isn’t remotely a disaster, and her efforts weren’t in vain.”
‘Rust’s Stars Reflect on the Bittersweet Release"
Patrick Scott McDermott plays Lucas Hollister, a central character that saw him get close to Baldwin. He bonded with the Hollywood legend, who’s still being forced to participate in litigation processes, even after the case against him was dismissed. “The times when we weren’t filming scenes were key. That’s when we spent the most time bonding. He would tell me stories from other movies he had worked on,” says McDermott, who also commented on the film’s release after such a rocky journey:
“We’re both proud and happy for this to be out in the world and for people to see Halyna’s vision. To see it finally come to reality in a bittersweet way is a bit of a relief.”
Source:Entertainment Weekly
