Tarantino Claims Alec Baldwin Is “10% Responsible” for ‘Rust’ Shooting

Quentin Tarantino recently shared his perspective on the tragic incident that occurred on the set of the movie ‘Rust,’ stating that Alec Baldwin holds partial responsibility for the accident. The acclaimed filmmaker discussed the 2021 shooting, where Baldwin was handling a gun loaded with live rounds, ultimately injuring director Joel Souza and claiming the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

"It’s a situation where the armorer, the guy who hands him the gun, is 90% responsible for everything that happens when it comes to that gun. But the actor is 10% responsible," Tarantino explained to Bill Maher on the Club Random podcast. "It’s a gun! You are a partner in the responsibility to some degree," the director added.

Tarantino emphasized that actors handling firearms on set are supposed to undergo a thorough walkthrough to become familiar with the weapons. He elaborated that appropriate procedure involves checking the barrel to ensure it’s clear of obstructions and inspecting the blanks and the gun to ensure readiness for filming.

The trial for Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter charges was dismissed last month due to evidence mishandling. Meanwhile, the armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence for involuntary manslaughter.

Bill Maher posed a question about why directors can’t use fake guns on set and later add effects in post-production. Tarantino humorously dismissed this idea, comparing it to adding digital erections in adult films, emphasizing authenticity’s importance in movie-making. He pointed out that despite the prevalence of guns in movies, incidents like the ‘Rust’ shooting and the fatal accident during ‘The Crow’ filming are exceedingly rare.

"For as many guns we’ve shot off in movies, we only have two examples of people being shot on set by a gun mishap. That’s a pretty f***ing good record," the ‘Kill Bill’ director noted.

Source: Deadline