Starring Jay Baruchel As Daredevil Ken Carter, With Ben Foster And Ed Helms, The Comedic Biopic Is Set For A September 25 Theatrical Release
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New York – July 21, 2026 – Independent Film Company announced today that they have acquired U.S. rights to THE STUNT DRIVER written and directed by Michael Dowse (GOON) and starring Jay Baruchel (BLACKBERRY), Laurence Leboeuf (SHORESY), Dan Bakkedahl (VEEP), with Ben Foster (HELL OR HIGH WATER) and Ed Helms (THE HANGOVER). The film is set to world premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival, followed by a theatrical release on September 25.
Set in the mid-seventies, THE STUNT DRIVER recounts the true underdog story of Canada’s Ken Carter (Jay Baruchel), the world champion stunt driver who 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.
Michael Dowse is an award-winning writer and director who recently directed the feature TRAP HOUSE starring Dave Bautista, Bobby Cannavale, and Inde Navarette, produced by Ridley Scott. On the television front, he helmed the Amazon series THE STICKY, starring Jamie Lee Curtis, produced by Jason Blum. Michael’s previous film credits include the romantic comedy WHAT IF (also known as THE F WORD), starring Daniel Radcliffe, Zoe Kazan, and Adam Driver, and the cult hockey comedy GOON, featuring Seann William Scott, Liev Schrieber and Jay Baruchel. THE STUNT DRIVER marks his eleventh feature film. Michael’s diverse body of work showcases his talent for character-driven storytelling and humor with a resonating heart.
“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,” said writer-director Michael Dowse.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Michael Dowse to bring the incredible true story of stunt driver Ken Carter to the big screen,” said Ayo Kepher Maat, Vice President of Acquisitions and Productions at Independent Film Company. “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 film is produced by Jennifer Wilson and Michael 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. Ayo Kepher Maat negotiated the deal on behalf of Independent Film Company with UTA on behalf of the filmmakers.
About Independent Film Company
Independent Film Company is a leading U.S. distributor of independent cinema at the forefront of championing boundary-pushing, thought-provoking films for 25 years, with a commitment to delivering high-quality, filmmaker-driven cinema across all genres. Independent Film Company’s slate reaches a national audience through theatrical releases, cable Video On Demand (VOD), and digital platforms.
Some of the company’s successes over the years include Andrew Haigh’s 45 YEARS, Jennifer Kent’s THE BABADOOK, Matthew Johnson’s BLACKBERRY, Richard Linklater’s BOYHOOD, Armando Iannucci’s THE DEATH OF STALIN, Noah Baumbach’s FRANCES HA, David France’s HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE, Chris Nash’s IN A VIOLENT NATURE, Colin and Cameron Cairnes’ LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL, Stephen Frears’ THE LOST KING, Adam Elliot’s MEMOIR OF A SNAIL, Olivier Assayas’ PERSONAL SHOPPER, Tran Anh Hung’s THE TASTE OF THINGS, Michael Winterbottom’s THE TRIP, and Chloe Okuno’s WATCHER.
Press Contacts
Judy Woloshen, Judy.Woloshen@ifcfilms.com
Guillermo Restrepo, Guillermo.Restrepo@ifcfilms.com