Jensen Ackles, the beloved star of “Supernatural,” is known for his down-to-earth personality and his unwavering commitment to his principles. His recent departure from the film “Rust,” following the tragic shooting that took the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, has left many wondering: was it a scheduling conflict, a fear of the "cursed" production, or a silent protest against Alec Baldwin?
Ackles, who was set to star alongside Baldwin in the Western film, has remained tight-lipped about his reasons for leaving the project. However, his police interview, conducted shortly after the shooting, offers some clues.
In the interview, Ackles came across as professional and composed, calmly recounting his experience on the set of "Rust.
" He expressed no ill will towards Baldwin or anyone else involved in the production.
“What a great guy!” one commenter wrote after watching the interview. “So normal and down to earth.”
However, Ackles’s comments about his personal approach to gun safety on set have raised eyebrows. Ackles revealed his rigorous process of personally checking every gun before using it, a stark contrast to Baldwin’s reliance on the armorer’s expertise.
"In his years of experience as an actor, he always checks the gun for live rounds, and then points the gun to the ground and shoots it 6 times at the ground, before he films with a gun," a commenter noted.
Baldwin has maintained that it's the industry standard for actors to trust the armorer’s assessment of the weapon’s safety.
The discrepancy between Ackles’s personal approach to gun safety and the protocols on the set of “Rust” has led some to speculate that his departure was a form of silent protest.
“So could that be the reason why Jensen was replaced? Because he contradicted Alec, so Alec refused to work with him again?" one online user wondered.
While there’s no concrete evidence to support this theory, Ackles’s silence on the matter speaks volumes.
Others speculate that Ackles, a devoted husband and father of three, simply couldn’t justify returning to a set where a tragic accident had occurred.
“He's a family man,” a commenter pointed out. “He seems very sweet and he seemed very upset by the shooting.
He and his wife left condolences after it happened.”
The emotional toll of the shooting, coupled with the potential risks of continuing on a production now under intense scrutiny, may have factored into Ackles’s decision.
“I think he doesn't want to be in this film anymore,” the commenter continued. "I think he doesn't want his reputation ruined by working on an unsafe set where a mother died and Baldwin could be facing jail time.
He has 3 kids, he credits his wife with A LOT so it probably was unnerving."
While the exact reasons for Ackles’s departure from "Rust" remain unknown, his actions have resonated with fans.
"I'm glad he's no longer associated with this disgusting situation," one fan commented.
Ackles’s decision reflects his character, both on and off screen. He’s known for his integrity, his professionalism, and his commitment to safety, values that seem to have guided his choice to walk away from the troubled production. As the investigation into the “Rust” shooting continues, Ackles’s silence speaks volumes, leaving fans to ponder the reasons behind his decision.
