In light of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' recent announcement to introduce an Oscar for Stunt Design, actor Tom Hardy has expressed his thoughts on the matter. Speaking to IGN ahead of his new film, Havoc, Hardy questioned the sufficiency of just one award category for stunts. "One Oscar, it's a bit too little too late in some aspects," he stated. "It's good, it's great and cup half full territory, but I think perhaps more is asked for."
Hardy elaborated on the complexity of stunt work, suggesting that a single category for Stunt Design does not fully encapsulate the diverse elements within the stunt department. "It's not enough just stunt design because there are so many elements that go into stunts as a department," he explained. "The design element is like an umbrella for a diaspora of different groups within that world that all need to be illuminated, and understood, quite how hard they work, and, what the stunt department, along with effects, deliver for people that want to go to cinema or sit down and watch anything remotely with any action or anything beyond just the written word or the spoken word. Whether it's people on horseback, cars, people jumping off buildings, people being on fire, fights, people getting run over, underwater, skydiving, whatever it is."
He emphasized the dedication and risk taken by stunt performers, advocating for more recognition. "That entire universe of people is unsung, and they put a lot on the line for that physically, and they're largely unspoken, but they do really put the thrill into film and TV. I've got a lot of friends in that world, so yeah, I'd like to see some subcategories in there as well."
Gareth Evans, the director of Havoc and known for his work on The Raid films, supports Hardy's views on the need for subcategories. "Subcategories would be nice," Evans remarked. "I don't think awards drive the craft. I think that's the wrong reason to do it. I think it's all about expressing yourself within the parameters of what the film is that you're making. I think it's about time that it got rewarded, about time that it had some recognition, and hard to understand why it wasn't from the get-go really."
The introduction of the Stunt Design Oscar at the 2028 Academy Awards marks a significant, albeit delayed, recognition of the stunt community's contributions. However, fans won't have to wait as long to see Hardy's latest work in action, as Havoc premieres on Netflix this Friday, April 25th.
