After years of demands for an Academy Award category for Best Stunts, the Oscars may finally be taking steps in that direction. Director Chad Stahelski, known for his work on the “John Wick” films, has been in discussions with the Academy about recognizing the significance of stuntwork in the film industry. In an exclusive interview with ComicBookMovie for the Blu-Ray release of “John Wick 4,” Stahelski revealed that these discussions have been ongoing for several months. He expressed optimism that a Best Stunts Oscar could be introduced as early as next year’s ceremony, or within the next three to four years if not.
However, one challenge remains: determining who would receive the award, considering the collaborative effort involved in creating successful stunts. Stahelski poses the question, “Should the stunt coordinator, the performer, the martial arts choreographer, the fight choreography team, the stunt double, the second unit director, or the editor be recognized?” Despite this, Stahelski believes that everyone involved is supportive of the idea. He confidently asserts, “There is no one that we’ve met so far that thinks antagonistically to this, like everybody on both sides wants this to happen. They want stunts at the Oscars. It’s going to happen.” Stahelski has been advocating for this cause for some time; in a 2020 interview with Collider, he expressed his belief that stunts deserve recognition at the Oscars, as they play a significant role in enhancing the visual experience of blockbuster movies.
Who Is Chad Stahelski?
Chad Stahelski started his career as a stuntman, working as the stunt double for Brandon Lee on “The Crow.” Tragically, Lee lost his life in an on-set accident during the production. Stahelski later served as Keanu Reeves’ stunt double in “The Matrix,” before becoming a stunt coordinator for the sequels. He gained recognition as a sought-after stunt coordinator for films like “300,” “Speed Racer,” and “The Expendables.” In 2014, he made his directorial debut alongside David Leitch with “John Wick,” and went on to direct the subsequent sequels, including the highly acclaimed “John Wick 4” released this year. Stahelski’s next project is directing Amazon’s adaptation of Tom Clancy’s thriller novel “Rainbow Six,” starring Michael B. Jordan.
In an era where digital effects dominate action movies, remarkable stuntwork continues to captivate audiences. The “Mission: Impossible” franchise, in particular, stands out for Tom Cruise’s commitment to performing increasingly daring stunts himself. The latest installment, “Dead Reckoning Part 1,” promises a gravity-defying motorcycle jump off a cliff and a harrowing fight scene atop a speeding steam train. While one awards show, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, recognizes the importance of stunts by presenting two categories for Best Stunt Ensemble (one for movies and one for television), the inclusion of a stunt category at the Oscars would further highlight the craft’s significance.
Continue following Collider for updates and listen to Chad Stahelski’s discussion about the stunts in “John Wick 4” on Collider below.
Denial of responsibility! TechCodex is an automatic aggregator of the all world’s media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
Khushi Patel is a science fiction author who lives in Austin, Texas. She has published three novels, and her work has been praised for its originality and imagination. Khushi is a graduate of Rice University, and she has worked as a software engineer. She is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and her books have been nominated for several awards.
