Rust director Joel Souza breaks silence about being shot by Alec Baldwin on set: ‘It was bizarre’

In October 2021, a prop gun held by actor Alec Baldwin fired a live bullet that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, injuring director Joel Souza.

Rust director Joel Souza has given his first interview since he was shot on set in October 2021 by actor Alec Baldwin. Talking to Vanity Fair, the director spoke about the experience and shared his opinion on the actor’s involuntary manslaughter charge. Heartbreakingly, he also shared that he hoped he ‘didn’t wake up the next morning’ due to pain. (Also Read: Events leading to Alec Baldwin 'Rust' shooting trial)

‘There’s no relationship’

File photo of director Joel Souza testifies in the trial against Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed in March. (AP)

Joel was asked if he had an opinion on Alec being charged with involuntary manslaughter. He said, “Does it matter if I think it’s fair or not? There is an argument that says, if he checks it and starts fiddling around with it, he’s creating a safety issue. And then there is another thing that says, it’s common sense, Jesus Christ. Be careful with this goddamn thing. So I don’t know anymore, to be honest with you. The charges got filed. That’s what they decided to do. Was he overcharged? I don’t know.”

Despite his injury, he returned to set to complete rest of the film’s shoot. When asked if he shared a relationship with Alec then, he said, “Getting through it was tough. We got through it. I got the performance I wanted. We’re not friends. We’re not enemies. There’s no relationship.” Joel also said it was ‘bizarre’ to have been shot by Alec because he ‘remembered watching The Hunt For Red October (1990) in theatre’ as a kid and thought, ‘Hey, that guy…someday…’

Rust shooting