Director Joel Souza speaks out on Rust shooting aftermath

In a recent interview, director Joel Souza opened up about the emotional aftermath of the tragic shooting incident on the set of "Rust," where he was injured by a prop gun fired by Alec Baldwin. Souza, who was shot in the shoulder, expressed feelings of despair, stating he wished he would "bleed out" and not survive the ordeal. He described how the incident fundamentally changed him, leading to persistent nightmares and a sense of loss regarding his former self. Despite the trauma, he sought therapy to cope with the psychological impact. Souza maintained that Baldwin did not intentionally pull the trigger, and while the film's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, Souza expressed uncertainty about where to place blame. He acknowledged the complexity of the situation, noting that a live bullet had somehow ended up in the gun. Following the dismissal of Baldwin's case, Gutierrez-Reed has sought to overturn her conviction, highlighting the ongoing legal ramifications of the incident. Despite the tragedy, Souza decided to complete the film out of respect for cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who lost her life in the shooting. He confirmed that the scene during which the shooting occurred will not be included in the final cut, emphasizing the need to move forward creatively while honoring Hutchins's legacy. Souza reflected on the challenges of returning to filmmaking, admitting it was a difficult decision but one he felt compelled to make for Hutchins's memory.