About 60 years too late, the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has confirmed that the Oscars are to create a category to recognize stunts. Clearly not the kind of organization to make any speedy, rash decisions, the Academy has announced that the inaugural Oscar for Achievement in Stunt Design will start in 2027, at the 100th Academy Awards.
As of yet, there is no information on the category rules for eligibility or any further specifics. We can also neither confirm nor deny the rumors that Tom Cruise has been locked in his mansion, sobbing.
Acting as if they suddenly came up with the idea, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy president Janet Yang said in a statement:
“Since the early days of cinema, stunt design has been an integral part of filmmaking. We are proud to honor the innovative work of these technical and creative artists, and we congratulate them for their commitment and dedication in reaching this momentous occasion.”
The story first broke in Deadline and has been quickly picked up across the trades. Their report highlights that more than 100 stunt professionals make up members of the Academy’s Production and Technology Branch, but thus far their efforts to get stunts recognized with their own category have come to nothing.
John Wick and Deadpool 2 director David Leitch, who started as a stuntman and stunt coordinator, had been a big proponent of getting stunts recognized and had met with the AMPAS several times.
Leitch was quoted in the trade:
“Stunts are essential to every genre of film and rooted deep in our industry’s history — from the groundbreaking work of early pioneers like Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd and Charlie Chaplin to the inspiring artistry of today’s stunt designers, coordinators, performers and choreographers.
This has been a long journey for so many of us. Chris O’Hara and I have spent years working to bring this moment to life, standing on the shoulders of the stunt professionals who’ve fought tirelessly for recognition over the decades. We are incredibly grateful. Thank you, Academy.”
Well, it’s about damn time.