Alec Baldwin's Rust 'Cut the Church Scene' Where Fatal Shooting Happened: 'It's a Beautiful Film' (Exclusive Source)

The Rust scene that was being rehearsed when cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed on set has been completely removed from the finished film.

Alec Baldwin stars in the Western drama, which was being filmed in New Mexico on Oct. 21, 2021, when a prop gun containing live rounds held by the actor discharged, hitting director Joel Souza and Hutchins. Hutchins, 42, did not survive her injuries.

An insider tells PEOPLE that the finished version of Rust does not contain that scene after the script underwent rewrites when it later resumed filming.

“They did cut the church scene that they were rehearsing for, and did some rewriting," says the source. "It’s a beautiful film. It looks like a big studio movie.”

Cameras were not rolling when the fatal shooting happened, as the crew was setting up camera blocking for the scene inside a church set while Baldwin practiced drawing the revolver. The actor previously said he did not pull the trigger and that he wasn't aware there were live bullets inside the prop gun.

A criminal case for involuntary manslaughter against Baldwin, 66, was dismissed with prejudice by a judge. There are still civil lawsuits pending, including one brought by Hutchins' parents and sister.

The film's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to prison time, though her attorney said they'll file a motion to dismiss after the surprise outcome of Baldwin's trial.

Hutchins is also survived by husband Matthew and their son Andros, now 11.

Rust went back into production in spring 2023, with director Souza returning, and Hutchins' widower Matthew on board as an executive producer after reaching a settlement with the filmmakers. Cinematographer Bianca Cline (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On) stepped in to finish Hutchins' work.

They completed filming the rest of the project in Montana in May 2023, as Baldwin wrote on Instagram at the time, "It’s been a long and difficult road. But we reach the end of the trail today. Congratulations to Joel, Bianca and the entire cast and crew. Nothing less than a miracle."