Tom Hardy: One Stunt Oscar Not Enough for Venom Star

In a significant move, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the introduction of an Oscar for Stunt Design, set to debut at the 2028 Academy Awards. However, actor Tom Hardy, speaking to IGN ahead of his latest film Havoc, expressed concerns that a single award category may not be sufficient to honor the vast and intricate world of stunt work.

"One Oscar, it's a bit too little too late in some aspects," Hardy remarked. "It's good, it's great and cup half full territory, but I think perhaps more is asked for." The acclaimed actor, known for his roles in Venom and Mad Max: Fury Road, elaborated on the complexity of stunt work, suggesting that the design element serves as an umbrella for a wide range of skilled professionals. "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," he explained. Hardy highlighted various aspects of stunt work, from horseback riding and car chases to skydiving and underwater scenes, emphasizing the dedication and risk involved.

Hardy also called for more recognition, stating, "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."

Echoing Hardy's sentiments, Havoc's director Gareth Evans, known for his work on The Raid films, supported the idea of subcategories. "Subcategories would be nice," Evans noted. "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."

It has taken the Academy a century to recognize stunt design with an award, a decision that will be implemented at the 2028 Academy Awards. Meanwhile, fans won't have to wait as long to see Hardy's latest work; Havoc will be available on Netflix starting this Friday, April 25th.