Tom Hardy: One Stunt Oscar Not Enough for Venom Star

In light of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' decision to introduce an Oscar for Stunt Design, actor Tom Hardy has expressed concerns over the sufficiency of just one award category for the diverse and vital contributions of the stunt community.

Speaking to IGN in anticipation of his upcoming film, Havoc, Hardy shared his thoughts: “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 stunts within the film industry, stating, “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. Whether it's people on horseback, cars, people jumping off buildings, people being on fire, fights, people getting run over, underwater, skydiving, whatever it is.”

Hardy emphasized the dedication and risk involved in stunt work, advocating for broader recognition: “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.”

The sentiment is shared by *Havoc*'s director, Gareth Evans, known for his work on *The Raid* films, which are celebrated for their dynamic action and stunt sequences. Evans commented, “Subcategories would be nice. 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.”

The introduction of the Stunt Design Oscar is set to occur at the 2028 Academy Awards, marking a significant milestone after a century of oversight. Meanwhile, fans won't have to wait as long to see Hardy's latest performance in Havoc, which will be available on Netflix starting this Friday, April 25th.