The Academy Is Finally Giving Us an Oscar for Stunts — but There's a Trade-off No One Is Talking About

Just in time for the 100th Academy Awards, the 2028 Oscars will have a category for stunts. From the grandfather of stunts and master of the pratfall, Buster Keaton, to the entire career of Jackie Chan, to the tireless work of Chad StahelskiandDavid Leitch – two stuntmen turned directors – and their team at 87Eleven for John Wick, this is long overdue. Stunt performers have long been a crucial part of filmmaking, using choreography and physical acumen in, of course, the action genre, but they’re also responsible for a backflip you take for granted in a teen cheerleading drama, as well as a clumsy meet-cute in your favorite rom-com. To put it simply, stunt designers and performers are the foundation upon which all filmmaking is built.