Oscars Finally Confirm a Stunt Category Is Happening (But There’s a Catch)

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After years of requests from film enthusiasts, the Oscars are eventually introducing a new category: Best Achievement in Stunt Design. However, viewers will have to wait until 2028, when the 100th Oscars take place, to see someone receive this honor. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that they will start presenting this award at this ceremony, recognizing films released in 2027. The specific rules for eligibility and voting in this category will be revealed in 2027. In a statement, the Academy’s CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang expressed their excitement about the new award.

From the onset of movie-making, the art of stunt design has been a crucial component of film production. We take great pleasure in acknowledging the groundbreaking achievements of these artistic craftsmen, and extend our heartfelt congratulations for their unwavering passion and determination that led them to this remarkable milestone.

Movie industry experts have consistently advocated for introducing an Oscar category specifically for Best Stunts. Leading this campaign was Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick series, who frequently championed this idea. During promotions for John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023), Stahelski expressed that such an award would be a logical decision. He has engaged in discussions with Academy members about this category, finding them supportive of the idea.

Over the scorching summer, I’ve heard whispers from Kramer about the Academy considering a new category – stunts. Fast forward a few months, and none other than Ryan Reynolds, who’s had quite a ride as both Deadpool and Wolverine, jumped on this bandwagon. He openly endorsed an Oscar for stunts, seizing the moment to shine a spotlight on the outstanding work of the unsung heroes behind the camera – our dedicated stunt teams.

It’s long past time for the Oscars to acknowledge a category for stunts, given their significant role in filmmaking for years. Other award bodies have already recognized stunt work, so it’s surprising that the Academy took so long to do the same. Action movies like Mission: Impossible and John Wick wouldn’t be what they are without the remarkable feats of their stunt teams, making it fitting that these unsung heroes finally receive their due recognition. The stunt crews behind many studio blockbusters have been essential, and now they’ll get their chance to shine.

It’s intriguing to explore the particulars of the Stunt Design award, particularly who is qualified to receive the statuette. Since films often credit multiple stunt coordinators and performers, the Academy will have some work ahead sorting out the details over the next couple of years. One option they might consider is giving Oscars to both the choreographer (or choreographers) who designed the stunt, as well as the performer who executed it on camera. Furthermore, it’ll be captivating to determine whether the Academy will honor a film’s overall body of work or if studios will need to submit individual stunt sequences for consideration, similar to the Best Song category. Whatever the outcome, it promises to be exciting to witness the stunt community celebrate their first Oscar in a few years.

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2025-04-11 03:41