In October 2021, on-set shooting of "Rust" resulted in cinematographer Halyna Hutchins' death and director Joel Souza's injury.

Director Joel Souza, who was wounded in the fatal on-set shooting of "Rust," has described the incident as "ruining" him and causing his "personality to change." Souza, who returned to finish filming after the tragedy, revealed that he now has "no relationship" with actor Alec Baldwin, who fired the live bullet. In October 2021, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed and Souza injured during a rehearsal on the set of the film. The movie's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, received an 18-month prison sentence for involuntary manslaughter in March.