EXCLUSIVE: The Stunt Driver, the comedy starring Jay Baruchel (BlackBerry) as Canadian daredevil Ken Carter which we scooped in November 2024, has been acquired by Independent Film Company ahead of its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival.
Independent Film Company releases the film in U.S. theaters on September 25. Watch the trailer above.
Written and directed by Michael Dowse, who previously collaborated with Baruchel on the cult hockey comedy Goon, The Stunt Driver is billed as telling the true underdog story of Carter, picking up with the world champion stunt driver in the mid-seventies as he battles personal demons and public doubt to attempt what everyone considers impossible — a mile-long jump across the St. Lawrence river in a rocket car.
Pic has Ben Foster (Hell or High Water) playing the iconic Evel Knievel. Laurence Leboeuf (Shoresy), Dan Bakkedahl (Veep) and Ed Helms (The Hangover) also star.
Dowse, who is otherwise known for work on titles like Trap House and the Amazon series The Sticky, told Deadline, “What captivated me wasn’t simply the spectacle of Ken Carter’s legendary jump, but the humanity behind it. He was a dreamer who refused to let the world define what was possible. I wanted to make a film that celebrates that spirit – the optimism, resilience, and relentless pursuit of an impossible dream. At its heart, The Stunt Driver is about the people who dare to risk everything.”
Ayo Kepher Maat, Vice President of Acquisitions and Productions at Independent Film Company, said: “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Michael Dowse to bring the incredible true story of stunt driver Ken Carter to the big screen. Jay Baruchel delivers an unforgettable performance, joined by a remarkable cast including Ed Helms and Ben Foster. We can’t wait to share this wildly entertaining and richly human film with US audiences this fall.”
The Stunt Driver is produced by Jennifer Wilson and Dowse for Film Cardinal, and executive produced by Baruchel, Joe Iacono, Dave Bishop and James Pugh for Protagonist Pictures, Lisa Wolofsky, Andrew Frank for Mongrel Media, and Cameron MacLaren. Maat negotiated the deal on behalf of Independent Film Company with UTA on behalf of the filmmakers.
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