The highly debated Western film “Rust” is set to premiere in U.S. theaters this Friday, but rather than celebrating its release, director Joel Souza has publicly stated that he deeply regrets his involvement in the film. He wishes he had never been part of the project, reflecting on the tragic events that have overshadowed its production.

Joel, who suffered an accidental gunshot wound inflicted by Alec Baldwin during a devastating incident on set in 2021, which tragically resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, initially dismissed the idea of returning to “Rust” following his recovery. However, he gradually reconsidered, especially understanding that Halyna’s family was eager to see the film completed as a tribute to her legacy.

In a candid interview with The Guardian, Souza reflected on the harrowing morning of the incident, describing it as a cascade of poor choices that ultimately led to the tragic outcome. He expressed regret not only about returning to “Rust” after the shooting but also about the very act of writing the screenplay in the first place, suggesting that the film’s creation was a mistake in light of the catastrophic consequences that ensued.

Following the incident, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the prop armorer for the film, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence. Meanwhile, Alec Baldwin was acquitted of all manslaughter charges last July, a legal decision that has drawn significant public scrutiny and debate surrounding the responsibilities of those involved in film productions.

Regarding his relationship with Alec, Joel shared that there has been no communication between them since filming concluded. He clarified that they are neither adversaries nor close friends; rather, they simply have had no contact since the tragic events unfolded on set.

On the subject of Alec’s reality show “The Baldwins,” which addressed the shooting incident, Joel humorously noted that he chose not to watch it, quipping that he was preoccupied with other activities that evening, highlighting the emotional toll the incident has taken on him.

“Rust” will have a limited theatrical release before becoming available for streaming on major platforms such as Apple TV and Prime Video, allowing wider audiences to engage with the film that has generated so much controversy and discussion within the film industry.