Josh Hutcherson asked his friend Jena Malone for this short film after enjoying working with her on The Hunger Games movies so much.
Josh Hutcherson and Jena Malone previously acted together in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2.
The first psychological thriller for Josh Hutcherson. He has stated his interest in the genre and hopes to star in similar movies in the future.
Josh Hutcherson collaborated with director Ron Howard on Canon's "Project Imagination: The Trailer." The contest invited people of all ages to send in a short trailer with one being chosen as the inspiration for a short film. College student Mark Mukherje's trailer "Tainted Water" won and sparked the idea for "The Rusted."