A still from ‘The Fall Guy’
| Photo Credit: Universal Pictures

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will officially recognise the art of stunt work with a new Oscar category for Best Stunt Design, debuting at the 100th Academy Awards in 2028 for films released in 2027. The long-anticipated move marks a historic milestone for a discipline that has been part of cinema since its earliest days.

The announcement follows years of advocacy from within the industry, led in large part by director and former stuntman David Leitch, known for The Fall Guy, Bullet Train, and Deadpool 2. Working alongside veteran stunt coordinator Chris O’Hara, Leitch made several formal presentations to the Academy, which ultimately led to the Board of Governors approving the new category.

“Since the early days of cinema, stunt design has been an integral part of filmmaking,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang said in a joint statement. “We are proud to honor the innovative work of these technical and creative artists.”

Leitch called the decision “a long journey for so many of us,” adding, “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.”

Director Chad Stahelski of John Wick fame praised the move as a thoughtful acknowledgment of the collaborative nature of stunt teams. “It’s very nice to see that the Academy has really heard the voices of the stunt committee,” he told Variety, noting the significance of awarding a department rather than an individual.

The exact criteria and voting rules for the new category will be outlined in the 2027 Academy Awards rulebook. Meanwhile, details around the award’s presentation format will be decided in the coming years.

Jeff Wolfe, president of the Stuntmen’s Association, called the move “a historic moment for our community,” emphasising that it “validates the passion, innovation, creativity and hard work that go into every fall, fight, and fireball.”

The stunt community’s campaign gained traction recently, aided by high-profile films like The Fall Guy and public endorsements from actors like Winston Duke.