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Alec Baldwin has said that it feels "strange" to be back at work in his first acting project since the fatal shooting on the set of Rust.
The screen star, 63, hit headlines when a gun he was handling on the New Mexico set of Rust on October 21, 2021 discharged, leaving cinematographer Halyna Hutchins dead and writer-director Joel Souza injured.
As a police investigation continues, Baldwin revealed on Instagram that he has returned to work on a new project in the U.K. According to the Metro newspaper, he is filming the movie 97 Minutes close to Alton, Hampshire in England.
Taking to his Instagram account on Monday, the actor shared a self-shot video in which he spoke from his bed about the challenges of jumping back into work after a long break.
"We had our first day today, which is always tricky," he said. "I don't work as much as I used to. I said this before maybe, but you go to work and you forget what you're supposed to do. I just was like, 'Oh god, what do you do? What is acting, or any of this nonsense that I've ended up doing?'"
"It's strange to go back to work," the star continued. "I haven't worked since October 21st of last year, when this horrible thing happened on the set of this film, and we had the accidental death of our cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. I still find that to say. But I went back to work today for the first time in three and a half months."
He then went on to discuss the issues that come with working on independent films in comparison to projects with larger budgets.
"Movies are nearly always the same, everybody's young, compared to me," he said. "Especially in independent film where there are very good people, but everybody's chasing all the good people and a lot of the best ones get gobbled up by projects that have more money.
"When you have a very limited budget, you're filling positions with people who are good, but they're probably early in their career—and young. Everybody's young!
"They work hard, the crew on movies are hardworking people. They're on their feet all day, in an unheated building, I might add. The building had no heat. It was a tricky day to try to get everything done.
"Many, many independent films now can be tricky in terms of getting everything done. The amount of work you have and the time you have are definitely not in sync."
Baldwin also shared that he would be working on the project for "a few more days," before flying back to the U.S. and being reunited with his wife, Hilaria Baldwin, and their six children. The actor is also father to Ireland Baldwin, 26, from his marriage to Kim Basinger.
"I miss my kids, I miss my Carmen. She's so funny," said the actor. "I miss them all. I miss every one of them. I'm so blessed that all my kids are so unique. I guess everybody who has a lot of kids feels that way. You can't get over how different they are.
"I'm going to be here for a few more days and then who knows what the future will bring. I hope good things. But I get to go home and see all my little people and one big person. Well, she's not every big. In fact, she's not big at all. She's kind of tiny, but I like her."
In an interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos back in December 2021, Alec Baldwin alleged that the gun he was holding at the time of the fatal shooting discharged without him pulling the trigger. He also said he was not responsible for Hutchins' death.
It was stated in a search warrant affidavit that the gun was handed to him by Rust assistant director David Halls, who indicated that the prop did not contain any live rounds by yelling "cold gun." Baldwin and Halls have maintained that they were unaware that the gun contained any live ammunition.
As an investigation into the tragic incident continues, Alec Baldwin in January handed over his phone to authorities as part of the ongoing probe.
About the writer
Ryan Smith is a Newsweek Senior Pop Culture and Entertainment Reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on ... Read more