Academy set to introduce stunt design category
Starting 2027, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will be examining films for a brand new stunt design category, as per Variety. The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Thursday that this new category will debut in the 100th Academy Awards, scheduled for 2028.
On behalf of the stunt community, The Fall Guy director David Leitch — who started out as a stunt performer and coordinator — led the initiative to institute the new official Oscar category. Leitch committedly pitched the idea to the Academy along with stunt coordinator and designer Chris O'Hara, and now the Board of Governors have heard their plea.
Eligibility and voting rules for the inaugural award will be announced in 2027, along with the complete list. The Academy's Board of Governors has yet to determine the specifics of the award's presentation.
"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," Leitch said in a statement.
He added, "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."
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy president Janet Yang acknowledged that stunt design has played an "integral part" in filmmaking since the dawn of cinema. "We are proud to honour the innovative work of these technical and creative artists, and we congratulate them for their commitment and dedication in reaching this momentous occasion."
President of the Stuntmen's Association, Jeff Wolfe, told Variety that he is "thrilled and proud" of this recognition. "For decades, stunt performers, coordinators, and action designers have played a crucial role in shaping the cinematic experience, often putting their bodies on the line to bring unforgettable moments to the screen. This recognition validates the passion, innovation, creativity, and hard work that go into every fall, fight, and fireball. It's not just a win for our industry — it's a win for storytelling."
Before the stunt design addition, the Oscars' latest award category was achievement in casting, which was established in 2024. It is set to begin with the upcoming 98th Academy Awards for films released in 2025.
In it for the adrenaline
The SAG Awards were the first to introduce a similar category, outstanding performance by a stunt ensemble, in 2007. Leitch's The Fall Guy took home the most recent trophy.
A central aspect of the film are the stunts performed by Ryan Gosling's character Colt Seavers. However, Gosling has the professionals to thank for the heavy-lifting. Logan Holladay, who set the Guinness World Record with 8.5 cannon rolls in 2024, performed the film's driving stunts, while Ben Jenkin and Troy Brown took the hits and the leaps respectively.
During an interview with Variety, Holladay spoke of how easily the craft comes to him. "We like adrenaline! We come from action sports. Our entire lives have been spent scarring ourselves and getting a thrill in achieving something," he said.
Reflecting on the newfound recognition for stunt performers that came because of the film, Jenkin said, "We didn't get into this to win awards, be famous, and be recognised. This whole thing is so new to us. We've never done press before in our lives! However, when you take a step back and think about it, every single department involved in the creative process of making these incredible movies deserves to be recognised."
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