Robin Nielsen – Archie Howard Matt Frewer – Mr. Clarkson Simon Webb – Grim Reaper Keith Dallas – Orderly Danielle Dunn-Morris – Mrs. Janey McCurdy King casting connections Ben Cotton played Hank in The Dead Zone (2002) TV series. Sandra-Jessica Couturier played a Jury Member in The Dead Zone (2002) TV series. Matt Frewer played Trashcan Man in The Stand (1994 TV miniseries), Dr. Charles George in Quicksilver Highway (1997 film), Ralph Carver in Desperation (2006 TV movie), and Sid Noonan in Bag of Bones (2011 TV miniseries). Cynthia Garris played Laurie in Sleepwalkers (1992 film), Susan Stern in The Stand (1994 TV miniseries), 217 Woman in The Shining (1997 TV miniseries), and Ellen George in Quicksilver Highway (1997 film). Robin Nielson played Billy Goatee in The Dead Zone (2002 TV series). David Purvis played the Drunk in Kingdom Hospital (2004 TV series). Production Mick Garris wrote an adaptation of Riding the Bullet, a Stephen King short story, on spec and struggled to find a purchaser during the early 00s as it wasn't an overt "balls-to-the-wall horror movie" compared to other King adaptations. In January 2003, Garris estimated that Riding the Bullet could possibly be released that year, followed by Stephen King's Desperation in 2004. That same month, Garris referred to the film as a "nostalgic drama" and a ghost story. In November 2003, production began in Vancouver with Jonathan Jackson, David Arquette, Barbara Hershey, and Erika Christensen joining the cast and Garris set as director. Unlike the novella, Garris' adaptation takes place in 1969, the era that the filmmaker grew up in. Garris wanted to use John Lennon's Instant Karma! at the end of the film and was given permission by Yoko Ono. However, it would have cost $50,000 to license the song, which Garris claimed would have been more expensive than any other part of the film. Release Riding the Bullet was released on October 15, 2004, by Innovation Film Group. The film was initially slated to release on October 1, 2004. Home media The film was released on DVD on April 19, 2005, by Lions Gate Films Home Entertainment. Reception Box office Riding the Bullet grossed $101,107 in its opening weekend and ranked 33rd. The film would take in a domestic total of $134,711 before leaving quickly theaters. The film would accumulate $264,505 worldwide. Critical reception On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Riding the Bullet holds an approval