Rocket Car Jump: Canadian Daredevil's Epic Stunt

Jay Baruchel embodies daredevil Ken Carter in Michael Dowse's "The Stunt Driver," a film making its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. The movie revisits Carter's audacious 1970s plan to propel a rocket car across the St. Lawrence River for a mile-long jump.

Dowse's film is an adaptation of Bob Fortier's 1981 cult documentary, "The Devil at Your Heels." This earlier film documented Carter's preparations for the perilous stunt. "The Stunt Driver" delves into Carter's eccentricities, such as being a stunt driver without a license and a man afraid of water attempting to jump a river.

The narrative also amplifies the competitive tension between Carter and Evel Knievel, portrayed by Ben Foster, for dramatic effect. This rivalry reflects Carter's desire for fame and to leave a lasting mark. Some dialogue was inspired by recent trade tensions between Canada and the U.S.

Production faced a five-year wait for rights but involved extensive research and collaboration with individuals connected to Carter. Fortier himself consulted on the script, sharing unearthed audio of Carter being hypnotized, which inspired the film's opening.

Utilizing archival footage instead of performing new stunts, the filmmakers focused on recreating Carter's world. The rocket car was meticulously built from scratch based on old footage, as no original schematics existed. The construction of the enormous jump ramp was also a significant undertaking, completed just in time for filming.

"The Stunt Driver" is set for release in the U.S. on September 25, 2026, by Independent Film Company, with Montreal Media distributing it in Canada on the same day.