The fatal accident on the set of Rust has raised concerns about using real guns on sets. However, the director of John Wick 4, Chad Stahelski, shared why filmmakers still prefer to use real guns instead of designing scenes with graphics. Stahelski believes that there’s no reason to have live firearms on set since technology has advanced enough to create gunfire during post-editing. However, switching to electric guns would be costly for prop houses, armorers, or supply houses. Stahelski emphasized that the real reason why filmmakers still use real guns is cost cutting. Before becoming a director, Stahelski worked as a stuntman, and he shared his experience when technology had not yet evolved enough to make guns using CGI. He explained that they used blanks, which are bullets without projectiles, and accidents did happen, resulting in fatalities.
The Reason Why Filmmakers Use Real Guns: Insights from John Wick 4 Director
Following the fatal accident that occurred during the filming of Rust, Hollywood directors have become cautious about using real guns on set. However, Chad Stahelski, the director of John Wick 4, revealed in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter why filmmakers still prefer to use real guns instead of designing scenes with graphics.
According to Stahelski, his team uses “electric guns” for the John Wick franchise, which allows them to create gunfire during post-editing. He believes that there’s no reason to have live firearms on set since technology has advanced enough to create cities, spaceships, and even Godzilla without using real guns. However, for prop houses, armorers, or supply houses, switching to electric guns would make their entire stock of real firearms useless, which could be costly.
Stahelski emphasized that the real reason why filmmakers still use real guns is not because of their effectiveness but cost cutting. He stated, “No one wants to say that, but that’s the real reason. You don’t need firearms. The alternative is just going to cost you more money.”
Before becoming a director, Stahelski worked as a stuntman, and he shared his experience when technology had not yet evolved enough to make guns using CGI. He explained that they used blanks, which are bullets without projectiles. However, they couldn’t put two people five feet apart in the same shot and have one pull the trigger. The concussive force coming out at the end of the barrel would be enough to shatter someone’s skull, and accidents did happen, resulting in fatalities.
The fatal accident on the set of Rust on October 21, 2021, where Alec Baldwin pointed a pistol and fired bullets that killed Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza, raised concerns about the use of real guns on sets. Hutchins’s family sued Alec Baldwin of involuntary manslaughter.
In conclusion, while some filmmakers have become cautious about using real guns on set, some directors, such as Chad Stahelski, still believe in their effectiveness. However, the cost of switching to electric guns remains a significant factor in the industry’s decision-making process.
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