HuluLast Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna is just around the corner, but the Rust filmmaker has issued a warning about the upcoming documentary and its focus on the Alec Baldwin case that followed.
Set to drop on Hulu on March 11, the new true crime title will explore the tragic on-set incident that led to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
On October 21, 2021, Hutchins was killed when a live bullet was shot from a prop gun held by actor Alec Baldwin on the set of the Western movie.
The documentary film will weave together the events of that day and the court case that followed, as told by many of those who lived through it. However, a “tense” exchange unfolded at a screening for Last Take, suggesting the focus of the film has changed.
Rust filmmaker questions Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna
Rust director Joel Souza told Last Take director Rachel Mason and producer Julee Metz that he had “hoped” the documentary had been “a little more about Halyna” in a Q&A The Hollywood Reporter described as “tense.”
Souza, who was shot in the shoulder by the same bullet that killed Hutchins, participated in the documentary along with other cast and crew.
Given Metz and Mason were friends of the late cinematographer, and Hutchins’ widower Matthew Hutchins served as executive producer, the creators had unrivaled access to the case.
The idea of the doc was to place Hayla front and center, refocusing the narrative following Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s highly-publicized trials.
But after a screening at an FYC event last week, the filmmaker told Mason and Metz, “I hoped it might have a little more Halyna in it or been a little more about Halyna.
“I know that was your original intention when you talked to me about it. And I could tell when we would talk over the years in the intervening time that you were under some pressure.”
“I think we all know, anyone in this room who is a creative, what it’s like when the suits are swooping in to put their hands all over your movie,” Souza continued.
Hulu“And I’m just curious to know with the partners that you guys had, and maybe I’ll ask you this, Julee, did they try to protect Rachel’s vision?”
Metz replied, “Rachel had a very clear vision in the beginning to tell Halyna’s story of her life and her work and some of her death, of course, because that’s where the story began.
“But over time, and as we gained new partners on this project, it became clear that there was a commercial value to the story of Rust. And that needed to be part of the story that we had to tell.
“So it became less about Halyna’s life and more about her death, but that’s what we ended up having to do.”
Souza’s remarks serve as a warning for those expecting Last Take to be a tribute to Halyna. While the documentary was initially intended to focus on her life and career, the pressures of the true crime market seemingly pushed it toward a broader look at the Rust case.
With Baldwin’s legal battles and the production’s failings taking center stage, Halyna’s story may not be as prominent as some had hoped. Ultimately, you’ll soon be able to judge for yourself, with Last Take dropping on March 11.
Until then, read about where Ruby Franke is now, the most shocking details in American Murder: Gabby Petito, and the true story behind Toxic Town.
