Hi Reddit! We're Jay Baruchel (actor) and Michael Dowse (director) of THE STUNT DRIVER. Ask us anything!

[u/TheStuntDriver]

Hi Reddit! We're Jay Baruchel (actor) and Michael Dowse (director) of THE STUNT DRIVER. Ask us anything!

Hi reddit, we're Jay Baruchel and Michael Dowse from THE STUNT DRIVER.

You may also know Jay from films like HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, GOON, SHE'S OUT OF MY LEAGUE, BLACKBERRY, THIS IS THE END, MILE END KICKS, TROPIC THUNDER, KNOCKED UP, FANBOYS.

THE STUNT DRIVER also stars Ed Helms, Ben Foster, and Laurence Leboeuf. It's out in theaters September 25 via IFC.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzM34TjcMso

Logline: Stuntman Ken Carter embarks on a quest to execute a stunt of launching a rocket car across the St. Lawrence River from Canada to the United States in the 1970s. He encounters absurd challenges along the way.

Ask us anything! We'll be back later today to answer questions.

[u/BunyipPouch]

This AMA has been verified and approved by the mods. Jay and Michael will be back later today to answer questions. Please feel free to ask away in the meantime :)

[u/No_Connection_4803]

Loved you in Goon, the locker room speech still gets me every time. What was the weirdest practical effect you guys pulled off for the rocket car stunt, or was most of it done with miniatures

[u/HeloEddit]

Hey Jay, really enjoyed Blackberry and Mile End Kicks which you were in recently.

My question is about Blackberry, how was working with Matt Johnson and how did the movie came together?

[u/prospect_0]

Huge fan of Man Seeking Woman. Each season really nailed the stages of dating that it focused on.

Would you ever be interested in doing a 4th season tackling parenthood?

[u/BananaSlings]

What songs by the Tragically Hip do you think are criminally underrated?

[u/UnsolvedParadox]

Jay, has it always been a deliberate choice to weave so many Canadian elements into your movies? I’ve always really enjoyed your public embrace of our country!

[u/NoShirtNoShoesNoDice]

Jay, do you ever feel bad that you couldn't hold his full weight?

[u/Brusion]

Did you rebuild the ramp for the movie? Was any of the film filmed at the historical location? Will historical footage be integrated into the film?

Thanks for your hard work, can't wait to see The Stunt Driver.

[u/Quasimdo]

Hi Jay, This is The End is one of my favorite comedies from the 2010s. With that cast, any funny stories from the making of it?

[u/Frajer]

What got you interested in Ken's story?

Also Jay what was it like working with Judd Apatow on Undeclared and Knocked Up?

[u/BetterThanOP]

Jay! You're awesome dude and Canada is very proud and thankful for ya bud! 🙏🍁

[u/Digmentation]

Jay and Mike, you've been collaborating for so long, how do you manage to not strangle each other's throats?

[u/counterstripe]

Popular Mechanics for Kids was my favorite show as a kid. No question, just glad a show like this existed and wanted to thank you for your work on it.

[u/thinknu]

Hi Jay! I've been trying to watch more Canadian films after watching Blackberry, NTBTSTM, and Young Werther.

Any that you could recommend as your personal favorites or ones that you consider essential Canadian films?

[u/DetroitVelvetSmooth]

Nothing to ask but am appreciative of Jay's Canadianisms in Hollywood productions. "Jesus Murphy" from This Is The End gets me every time.

[u/azsnaz]

What's the best sandwich

[u/chartrespope]

Jay, been a fan since undeclared, loved Goon, maybe even more than Slap Shot. Are you working on or have plans to write another movie or series in the future?

[u/i-am-the-walrus789]

Big fan and excited to watch this in theatres later this month. If you were to make another movie about a lesser known local Canadian celebrity, who would you choose?

Appreciate it and looking forward to the movie!

[u/rawker86]

Hard Right Jay! Did you enjoy working with the Letterkenny gang? Tell me why, for the love of all that is holy, is Keeso not a household name?

[u/Mattlustrious_Film64]

Hi Jay! My first exposure to your work was How To Train Your Dragon back in 2010. I saw it in theaters in 3D and it was the coolest thing ever as an 11 year old kid. Are there any particular moments from those movies that stood out to you as favorites (both to work on and within the movies themselves)?

[u/TdoggGatineau]

I remember learning about this story working in the archives of Transport Canada because it dealt with the st lawrence . Apparently there were several strongly worded letters sent asking the jump not to happen. Did you have as much trouble getting approval for the film? ☺️

[u/me_myself_ai]

Ok I've never heard of this movie but it lowkey looks amazing. Three questions, curious to hear on any one of em!

1. Any comments/bragging to do on the cinematography? Many of the trailer shots look "retro" to me in some ineffable sense, but in a really satisfying, modern way... If that is indeed in the actual film, am I picking up on something fancy, or just plain ol' movie magic?

2. The trailer really sells the feeling of the ~2005-2015 blockbuster (?) comedies of my youth, which feels fairly rare these days. One of em is Hot Rod, which seems like an obvious--if much less serious and purely fictional--parallel. Did any of that industry context drive (heh) acting or directorial decisions on set, or were you focused on the story itself?

3. Are you going on CBB to start off your junket, or do you have it scheduled as the very final, triumphant stop?

[u/internetlad]

Goon 4 when

[u/Klausfunhauserss]

Did you do your driving stunts by yourself?

[u/brokenringlands]

Hi Jay and Michael,

First of all, thank you for focusing on Canadian stories. I have been a fan of Ken Carter ever since I found The Mad Canadian and Devil At Your Heels on NFB. So glad he's getting your treatment.

Would you ever take an elevator pitch via Inbox/private message?

[u/ihs25ysf]

Tropic Thunder is widely considered one of the last great studio comedies. Looking back, what was it like being Kevin Sandusky anchoring a cast of completely unhinged characters?

[u/Real_Topic_7655]

Mike Dowse we’ve loved your movies - how did you get this movie funded and produced

[u/JonnyCanuck71]

With the current social divide between us the USA right now, do you guys feel Canada needs/wants/should get more Canadian content like this?

[u/mishek00]

Not a question - that pic of Michael Dowse looks like Jay in Blackberry

[u/Dequat]

Has Laurence Leboeuf moved on from JJ Frankie JJ?

Goon is a sports movie I love to recommend to anyone who has any interest in the sport. I think you both helped build an incredible world around the culture of hockey.

Do you see a future where you guys will revisit the world of hockey? Maybe explore a different team within the Gooniverse?

Excited for this movie though, great job on the poster!

[u/ALFABOT2000]

What are your favourite dinosaurs?

[u/ortusdux]

How much time did y'all spend saying "Laurence Lebouf" on set?

[u/kiborgaa]

Hi Jay and Michael! I would love to know what specific films have inspired each of you the most throughout your lives, and what your absolute personal all time favorites are

[u/Frosty780]

If you were tasked to create a new Heritage Minute, what story would you tell?

[u/oscarx-ray]

Hi Jay, big fan! Goon is the single greatest film ever made. How much of an influence on the story was Hit Somebody by Warren Zevon (if at all), and how much of an influence was Goon on the hockey parts of Letterkenny (which you were excellent in as well) ((if at all))?

[u/Mauser-Nut91]

Michael, can you speak to the emotional roller coaster that was the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs and how you and your family reacted to Game 1 of the ECF compared to games 2-5?

[u/iamtherarariot]

Hi Jay and Michael! Huge fan of you both, Goon got me obsessed with hockey as a teenager! Two questions:

1. How important do you think sense of place is in film and media in general, especially given you’re making film in Anglo-Canada that might have historically been quite unrepresented? I think there’s a misconception from some that for a film to be relatable it has to be a generic American city or tourist London, which is ridiculous to me because I feel that specificity can make things relatable. What are your thoughts?
2. Any idea if this film will get UK distribution or streaming anywhere? As a Brit who loves CanCon I’m so happy that we are getting films like Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie and Blue Heron in our independent cinemas and I’m hoping it’ll be the same

for this one!

[u/ElectricLuxray]

Nothing to ask! Just wanted to say that I adored Goon. I’m not big into sports but that is. Probably my favourite hockey movie of all time.

[u/ruddiger718]

Thanks for the Q&A guys, would love to hear any stories or thoughts on working with Ben Foster. I've been a fan of Ben since Disney Channel, and love the choices he's made as a character actor. Would love to hear more about him. 

[u/Downtown-One-416]

How do you feel about the Habs’ future?

[u/ezmoney98]

Holy shit Jay Baruchel actually looks like a bad ass grown man , great movie poster! Sorry that wasnt a question lol

[u/mattmurdick]

Jay, has anyone ever told you that you'd make a great Plastic man of DC? Would you ever take on a superhero role if offered?

[u/dubblix]

Who the eff is Ed Helms? Do you mean Egg?

[u/marslo]

Yo jay, Tu feel comment sur le coup sale que le gouvernement a fait a FACE an cancellant la rénovation, pis leur plan de relocaliser l'école?

[u/giantpotato]

Hi Jay, been a fan since you were on PMK. About 10-15 years ago, my cousin spotted you eating at a pizza place in NDG. I wanted to go in and say hi but didn't want to disturb you while you were eating, so I didn't and just walked away. This has been in the back of my head for a long time, I missed my chance to meet you. Would it have bothered you if I just popped in to say a quick hello? How do you feel in general about random fan interactions in public? Any bad times to interact?

[u/xXxHondoxXx]

How big?

[u/xXxHondoxXx]

What is your favorite movie and why is it Die Hard?

[u/Danzig6WasntThatBad]

Why do you look like Destiny on the poster?

[u/HHS2019]

In the process of making this film, did you find out who would win in a fight between Broccoli Rob and Boner Champ?

[u/Buck_Slamchest]

Have either of you watched Turbo Kid and is that why you cast Laurence Leboeuf ?

[u/ottoIovechild]

I’m a rooster illusion

[u/friskevision]

Have you seen Hooper, and if so what did you think of it?

[u/arp0925]

Hey Jay, did you read the script for this film or did the script read you.

[u/B00marangTrotter]

Would you do a stunt with someone from Jackass, and did you do any stunt's in The Stunt Driver?

[u/vicktuesday]

Hi Jay, big UNDECLARED fan. I rewatch it from time to time. I have enjoyed watching your career. Congrats on the new film!

[u/joodo123]

Loved Man Seeking Woman, what a fantastic under seen show. My question is related. What happened to the penis tentacle monster puppet or whatever it was? Did someone keep it?

[u/B00marangTrotter]

I was wondering if you like hot dogs?

[u/Tasty_Act]

Favorite Gord Downie lyric?

[u/OsgoodSlaughters]

Big fan of the facial hair Jay, have you considered making it permanent?

[u/OriginalChri]

Hey Jay, do you hate universally loved movies?

[u/Competitive-Hunt-517]

Is this another the fall guy?