Alec Baldwin lands role about 1970 Kent State shooting after ‘Rust’ tragedy

Alec Baldwin has already lined up his next project just days after wrapping filming on his catastrophe-stricken Western flick “Rust.”

The 65-year-old landed a role in an upcoming Karen Slade-directed film about the Kent State shooting that left four unarmed students dead and nine others injured in 1970.

On May 4 of that year, the Ohio National Guard opened fire during a peaceful protest of the National Guard presence on campus, as well as the escalating involvement of the US in the Vietnam War.

Baldwin is set to take on the role of then-president of the university Robert White, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The film will be Slade’s directorial debut.

According to Deadline, the film will follow the events that transpired that day and will ask the question of why these massacres continue to happen.

“The Kent State shooting was a dark and pivotal moment in our nation’s history. This is a story that needs to be told and surprisingly never has,” producer Tom Ortenberg told the outlet in Sept. 2022. “We are looking forward to bringing it to the big screen to educate and inspire both the young and old alike.”

In addition to Baldwin, the film will also star Dermot Mulroney, Clancy Brown, Christopher Backus, and Jacqueline Emerson.

News of Baldwin’s involvement in the project comes just days after he announced the completion of “Rust.”

The scandal-scarred actor posted a beardless selfie on Instagram Tuesday, writing, “God, it felt good to shave off that beard…”

Filming kickstarted in New Mexico on October 6, 2021, but was then put on indefinite hold just two weeks later after Baldwin’s prop gun discharged a live round and struck cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, in the chest, and also wounded the film’s director Joel Souza.

Production for the indie-Western was then relocated near the Yellowstone Film Ranch in Paradise Valley, Montana.

Before his formal charges, Baldwin denied any responsibility for Hutchins’ death and argued that he didn’t even pull the prop gun’s trigger.

Baldwin settled a wrongful death lawsuit with Hutchins’ family last year before filing a negligence suit against four crew members.

His complaint alleged that several crew members failed to maintain safety on set by handing him the loaded gun.

Last month, Hutchins’ family confirmed they will continue their civil lawsuit against the actor, even though criminal charges against him have been dismissed.

Legal reps for the family said Baldwin could not “escape from the fact that he had a major role in a tragedy.”