Earlier this month, the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the creation of an annual competitive Academy Award for Achievement in Stunt Design. This new award will begin with the 100th Academy Awards for films released in 2027.
“Since the early days of cinema, stunt design has been an integral part of filmmaking,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang in a statement. “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.”
According to the Academy, more than 100 stunt professionals are members of its Production and Technology Branch.
“A lot of people [are saying] this is a way to get people…interested in the Academy Awards for blockbusters,” said CineSnob managing editor Cody Villafana. “Stunt performing is an amazing thing.”
CineSnob editor Kiko Martinez is wondering who would actually be nominated for the Stunt Design Oscar. Would it be the stunt coordinator alone, or would actual stunt actors be considered?
“Could Tom Cruise be nominated for it since he does his own stunts?” he said.
Contributing film critic Jocelyn Durand thinks the Stunt Design Oscar is a good idea, but is coming about half a century too late.
“This would have been really cool in the 1970s,” she said. “I’m just thinking of [films like The French Connection and that driving scene!”
Durand added: “Tom Cruise has literally been hanging off of helicopters for the last 40 years!”