Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson says he will not use real guns ‘ever again’ on film sets
Hollywood star Dwayne Johnson has said he will not use real guns “ever again” on film or TV sets following the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Speaking on the red carpet for the world premiere of his new Netflix blockbuster Red Notice, the actor – best known as “The Rock” – said that films or TV shows made by his company Seven Bucks Productions would use rubber guns from now on.
His comments come two weeks on from the death of Ms Hutchins, 42, who was killed on the set of the Western film Rust in New Mexico. Star Alec Baldwin had been holding a gun which released a live bullet, and investigations into the incident continue.
Alec Baldwin discharged a prop firearm on the set of Rust
Speaking about the tragedy and the use of guns on sets, Johnson told reporters: “The guts and the mechanics of movies, there’s a lot of protection. But that said… I can speak on behalf of Seven Bucks Productions – moving forward on any Seven Bucks Production in television or film or otherwise, we will not use real guns ever again.
“We are going to be using rubber guns and we’ll take care of it in post [production] and we won’t worry about the dollars or won’t worry about math or what the cost is.”
Johnson also said he had known Baldwin for “many, many years”.
He continued: “He’s a buddy of mine, and my heart goes out to the families of everybody who was involved.”
Ms Hutchins’ death has reignited concern about the use of prop guns such as the weapon Baldwin discharged on set.
Baldwin, 63, who was a producer on the film as well as a star, spoke publicly about the tragedy for the first time at the weekend, telling reporters it was a “one in a trillion episode” and that he had lost his “friend”.
Halyna Hutchins, pictured in 2017, died in the incident, while director Joel Souza was injured
The actor said he was cooperating with police as the investigation continues, but declined to comment further.
He went on to say he supports limits on the use of real guns in films and TV shows to protect people’s safety on set.
A police investigation is under way into the shooting, which also left Rust director Joel Souza injured.
Authorities in Santa Fe are looking into how a suspected live round came to be in the firearm, which had been declared safe by an assistant director, according to court documents.
Production on the film has been halted indefinitely while authorities investigate. Prosecutors have said it is too early to tell if criminal charges will be brought in the case.
Police in Tennessee have discovered 14 improvised explosive devices in a man’s home as they were arresting him, the local sheriff’s office said.
Officers were executing a warrant in the home of Kevin Wade O’Neal in Old Fort, about 45 miles (70km) east of Chattanooga, after he had threatened to kill public officials and law enforcement personnel in Polk County.
After arresting the 54-year-old, officers noticed “something smouldering” in the bedroom where he was found.
Kevin Wade O’Neal. Pic: Polk County Sheriff’s Office
On closer inspection, they discovered an improvised explosive device and evacuated the house until bomb squad officers arrived at the scene.
Fourteen devices were found inside the property – none of which detonated.
Improvised explosive devices were found in Kevin Wade O’Neal’s home. Pic: Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Kevin Wade O’Neal’s home in Old Fort, Tennessee. Pic: Polk County Sheriff’s Office
O’Neal was charged with 11 counts of attempted first-degree murder, corresponding to nine officers and two other people inside the property when the suspect tried to detonate the devices.
He also faces 14 counts of prohibited weapons and one count of possession of explosive components.
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O’Neal is being held at the Polk County jail and his bond is yet to be determined.
Donald Trump says he has ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in the “appropriate regions” in a row with former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev.
It comes after Mr Medvedev, who is now deputy chair of Russia‘s Security Council, told the US president on Thursday to remember Moscow had Soviet-era nuclear strike capabilities of last resort.
On Friday, Mr Trump wrote on social media: “Based on the highly provocative statements of the Former President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, who is now the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, I have ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that.
“Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences, I hope this will not be one of those instances. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
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Trump: ‘We’re going to protect our people’
Speaking outside the White House later in the day, Mr Trump was asked about why he had moved the submarines and replied: “We had to do that. We just have to be careful.
“A threat was made and we didn’t think it was appropriate, so I have to be very careful. So I do that on the basis of safety for our people. A threat was made by a former president of Russia and we’re going to protect our people.”
The spat between Mr Trump and Mr Medvedev came after the US president warned Russia on Tuesday it had “10 days from today” to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine or face tariffs, along with its oil buyers.
Moscow has shown no sign that it will agree to Mr Trump’s demands.
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On Thursday, Mr Medvedev reminded Mr Trump that Russia possessed a Soviet-era automated nuclear retaliatory system – or “dead hand”.
Mr Medvedev, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was referring to a secretive semi-automated Soviet command system designed to launch Russia’s missiles if its leadership was taken out in a decapitating strike.
He made the remarks after Mr Trump told him to “watch his words” after Mr Medvedev said the US president’s threat of hitting Russia and its oil buyers with punitive tariffs was “a game of ultimatums” and added that “each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war” between Russia and the US.
Dmitry Medvedev. Pic: Reuters
Mr Medvedev served as Russia’s president from 2008 and 2012, when Mr Putin was barred from seeking a third consecutive term, but then stepped aside to let him run again.
As deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, he has become known for his provocative and inflammatory statements since Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022.
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