To carry out a trick, deception, or practical joke (against someone). It turns out that the supposed alien visitors people had been seeing were just a bunch of teenagers pulling a stunt on the town. I've got a great plan to pull a stunt on the school for April Fools' Day. The fake article had been in print in the renowned scientific journal for more than a week before its author revealed that he had pulled a stunt.

Casting someone in a surprising or unexpected role, typically to boost interest in the movie or show. I know that having Britney Spears play Stella's receptionist on How I Met Your Mother was totally stunt casting, but I loved it!