Tom Hardy: One Stunt Oscar for Venom Not Sufficient

In a recent development, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the introduction of an Oscar for Stunt Design, set to be awarded starting at the 2028 Academy Awards. This decision marks a significant acknowledgment of the intricate and often dangerous work done by stunt professionals in the film industry. However, actor Tom Hardy, known for his roles in films like Venom and Mad Max: Fury Road, has expressed that this single category might not be sufficient to honor the full spectrum of contributions made by the stunt community.

Speaking to IGN ahead of the release of his latest film, Havoc, Hardy stated, "One Oscar, it's a bit too little too late in some aspects. It's good, it's great and cup half full territory, but I think perhaps more is asked for." He elaborated on the complexity of stunt work, saying, "It's not enough just stunt design because there are so many elements that go into stunts as a department. 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."

Hardy emphasized the diverse range of skills involved in stunt work, from horseback riding and car chases to skydiving and underwater sequences. He noted, "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 call for more recognition. "Subcategories would be nice," Evans remarked. He added, "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."

The introduction of the Stunt Design Oscar comes after a century of overlooking this critical aspect of filmmaking. While fans and professionals alike await this long-overdue recognition, they won't have to wait as long to see Tom Hardy in action. His new film, Havoc, is set to premiere on Netflix this Friday, April 25th, promising viewers a thrilling experience.