Baldwin first found out of about “Rust” from the film’s writer and director, Joel Souza. He had worked with Souza before, and when Souza sent him the script for “Rust,” he wanted to be a part of it. He ended up taking the role as the film’s lead actor. He also took a role as a producer on the film, but he clarified to Stephanopoulos that his role as a producer only involved the script and casting. He was not involved in hiring crew members or day to day operations on set.
Souza was the one who hired the film’s director of photography, Halyna Hutchins. Baldwin met Hutchins for the first time when he arrived on set on October 11th. He was immediately impressed with how focused and determined she was. He considered her a new friend.
In the interview with Stephanopoulos, Baldwin said that he doesn’t “Give a s–” if his acting career is over because of the fatal accident that happened on the set of “Rust.” He was just as shocked as anyone at what happened and didn’t even realize that Halyna and Souza were injured by a bullet until he was shown the bullet that was removed from Souza’s shoulder.
Baldwin maintains that he didn’t do anything wrong and that no matter what any other actor says, it was not his job to check the gun himself to make sure it was safe. He explained that he was told early on in his career that everyone on set was not looking to the actor to make sure the gun was safe. He said he was told that responsibility fell to the prop master. Regardless, he said, “I would go to any lengths to undo what happened.”
Watch the first part of Baldwin’s interview below.
If you would like to hear more about what Baldwin has to say about the tragic accident that happened on set and why he was pointing the gun towards the camera, watch Part 2 of the his interview here.
In the third and final part of Baldwin’s interview, he explains the aftermath of the tragedy, including how hard it was to meet Hutchins’ husband and son. You can watch it here.
Did you find anything Baldwin said surprising?
