The demand for a Best Stunt category at the Oscars has been a long-standing topic among cinephiles and journalists
According to renowned stunt coordinator and director Chad Stahelski - best known for 'John Wick' - the inclusion of a Best Stunt Work category at the Academy Awards is imminent.
In an interview with comicbookmovie.com, Stahelski revealed
that he has engaged in several discussions with Academy officials regarding
the creation of such a category. He expressed optimism about the progress
made and believes that it could happen within the next three to four years,
potentially even as soon as the next Oscars.
However, Stahelski
acknowledged that determining the most appropriate way to recognize and
honor stunt work is a significant challenge.
The collaborative nature of the art form raises questions about
whether the award should be for the best stunt, best choreography, best
action sequence, best stunt ensemble, or involve other aspects such as the
stunt coordinator, fight choreographer, or editor. These questions require
thoughtful deliberation and input from both the stunt community and the
Academy.
The demand for a Best Stunt category at the Oscars has
been a long-standing topic among cinephiles and journalists, although it
never received significant attention until now.
Director Sidney Lumet famously raised the issue in 1991 and
sponsored his stunt coordinator for membership in the Academy of Motion
Picture Arts and Sciences. It took over 30 years for the Academy's Board of
Governors to establish the Production and Technology branch, which includes
around 100 stunt coordinators among its 400 members.
Stahelski
revealed that discussions between the Academy and the Production and
Technology branch have been positive and productive over the past few
months.
Both sides share the desire to see stunts recognized at
the Oscars, and the focus now lies in devising a fair and well-thought-out
approach to achieve that goal, he added.
