By KBC Associate :max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(1132x326:1134x328)/tom-cruise-mi-rogue-nation-080124-42126b2550824c058dec7a9f0ea8159a.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1 "Oscars Adding New Best Stunt Design Category in 2028")
- The Academy Awards will begin recognizing cinema’s stunt community starting in 2028
- The 100th annual Oscars ceremony will include the Academy Award for Best Stunt Design
- The Fall Guy director David Leitch and his team helped advocate for the addition
The Academy Awards are adding a new, action-packed category to its list.
After years of speculation within the industry, the Oscars will indeed include stunt performers among their categories starting with the 100th annual ceremony that will be held in 2028.
“Since the early days of cinema, stunt design has been an integral part of filmmaking,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said 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.”
Eric Laciste/Universal Pictures
The competitive Academy Award for Achievement in Stunt Design will be presented annually to the designers of movie stunts. More than 100 stunt professionals are members of the Academy’s Production and Technology Branch, according to a press release.
The news follows last year’s announcement that an Oscar recognizing achievement in movie casting will be introduced beginning with the 2026 ceremony. That means casting directors of films released in 2025 will be eligible for the Academy’s first new prize in years.
David Leitch, who worked as a stunt double for the likes of Brad Pitt and more and has directed such action hits as Bullet Train and The Fall Guy, was one of the leaders of the campaign for a category recognizing the stunt community’s contributions to cinema. As Variety reported, Leitch and stunt coordinator and designer Chris O’Hara made several recent presentations to the Academy championing their cause.
Niko Tavernise
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The Screen Actors Guild Awards, honoring the best film and television acting each year, added a stunt ensemble category in 2007. The 2025 ceremony’s winners were The Fall Guy and Shōgun.
The 98th Academy Awards will take place on March 15, 2026, with Conan O’Brien returning as host for the second year in a row.