Oscars stunt design category to debut at 100th ceremony in 2028

Apr 11

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Kennedy Felton Lifestyle Correspondent/Producer

By Kennedy Felton (Lifestyle Correspondent/Producer), Zachary Hill (Video Editor)

The Academy is introducing an Oscars stunt design category, debuting at the 100th Oscars in 2028 to honor films released the year prior. This marks a historic step toward recognizing the creative and technical contributions of stunt professionals to filmmaking.
Director David Leitch, a longtime advocate for stunt recognition, led multiple presentations to the Academy, emphasizing the importance of honoring those who bring action sequences to life.
The announcement aligns with a cultural spotlight on stunt performers, highlighted by Leitch’s 2024 film “The Fall Guy,” which stars Ryan Gosling as a veteran stuntman.

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The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is adding an Oscars stunt design category. The new award will debut at the 100th Oscars in 2028, honoring films released the year prior.

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This announcement marks a significant step toward recognizing the creative and technical work of stunt professionals. The Achievement in Stunt Design award will highlight those who bring high-octane action sequences to life.

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Honoring overlooked film professionals

“Since the early days of cinema, stunt design has been an integral part of filmmaking,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang in a joint 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 a press release, more than 100 stunt professionals are members of the Academy’s production and technology branch. While the category won’t officially launch until 2028, the news already has industry veterans celebrating the long-awaited recognition.

A win for advocates like David Leitch

Director David Leitch, known for movies like “John Wick” and “Deadpool 2,” has been a leading voice in the push for the new Oscars stunt design category. Leitch began his Hollywood career as a stunt performer and coordinator and now runs 87North Productions.

He and fellow stunt coordinator Chris O’Hara led multiple presentations to the Academy over the years, making the case for stunt recognition.

“This has been a long journey for so many of us,” Leitch told Deadline. “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.”

Spotlight on ‘The Fall Guy’

The Oscars stunt design category announcement follows the release of Leitch’s 2024 film “The Fall Guy.” The movie stars Ryan Gosling as a veteran stuntman and explores the risks and dedication involved in the profession.

The film has already drawn attention to the intense and often overlooked work of stunt performers, making it a fitting cultural moment for the new Oscars category to gain traction.

Another new category in recent years

The last new competitive category added to the Oscars was for Achievement in Casting, announced in 2024. That award will apply to films released in 2025 and be presented at the 2026 ceremony.

Tags: Entertainment, film, Hollywood, Hollywood awards, movies

[KENNEDY FELTON]

And the Oscar goes to…

It’s still a few years away, but the Academy is already making room for a new kind of star. They’ve announced how they’ll finally honor a group of film professionals who may often be overlooked.

Introducing the Academy Award for Stunt Design! Debuting at the 100th Oscars in 2028, the new category will recognize films released in 2027.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang said in a joint 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.”

According to a press release, more than 100 stunt professionals are members of the Academy’s Production and Technology Branch.

But the new category didn’t just appear overnight. David Leitch—the director behind John Wick and Deadpool 2—has been a longtime champion of the change.

Leitch started his career as a stunt performer and coordinator, and now runs 87 North Productions in Hollywood. He and others spent years presenting to the Academy to push for recognition.

He told Deadline, “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.”

The timing aligns with a growing trend. Leitch’s 2024 movie, The Fall Guy, stars Ryan Gosling as a stuntman, putting the risks of the job front and center.

It’s yet another sign that stunt performers are gaining more visibility in Hollywood, something also seen in Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

This new Oscars category follows the creation of Best Casting, which was established in 2024 and will be awarded for the first time next year.