Tom Hardy Demands Oscars Stunt Category for Venom

Following the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' decision to finally introduce an Oscar for Stunt Design, actor Tom Hardy has raised the question of whether a single award category truly suffices.

In a conversation with IGN prior to the release of his latest film, Havoc, Hardy shared his perspective: "While one Oscar is a step forward, it feels somewhat overdue. It’s a positive move—don’t get me wrong—but we might be expecting more."

"Stunt design alone doesn’t cover the full scope of what the stunt department accomplishes," the star of Venom and Mad Max: Fury Road continued. "Stunt design acts as an umbrella for numerous specialized roles within that field—each deserving recognition for their immense contribution. The stunt department, often working alongside visual effects, brings so much to the screen for audiences seeking thrills beyond dialogue or quiet scenes. Whether it’s horseback riding, car chases, leaps from buildings, fire stunts, fight sequences, underwater work, or skydiving—they do it all."

"These professionals are the unsung heroes of cinema and television—putting their bodies on the line to deliver excitement. Many of my friends work in this industry, and I truly believe we should also acknowledge specific subcategories within stunts."

This view is shared by Havoc director Gareth Evans, whose work on The Raid series showcased some of the most dynamic and breathtaking action choreography in modern film.

"Adding subcategories would be a welcome change," Evans remarked. "Awards shouldn’t be the primary motivation for the craft—that’s not why we do it. It’s about creative expression within the framework of the story. Still, it’s high time stunt work received formal recognition—it’s puzzling why it took this long to happen."

Indeed, it will have taken a full century for the Oscars to honor stunt design when the category debuts at the 2028 Academy Awards. You won’t have to wait nearly as long to see Hardy in action, however—Havoc arrives on Netflix this Friday, April 25th, for viewers eager to see the actor take on a brutal, high-stakes role.