In a recent interview with IGN, actor Tom Hardy expressed his views on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' decision to introduce an Oscar for Stunt Design at the 2028 Academy Awards. Hardy, known for his roles in films like Venom and Mad Max: Fury Road, feels that a single award category may not suffice to honor the comprehensive efforts of the stunt community.

"One Oscar, it's a bit too little too late in some aspects," Hardy remarked ahead of the release of his new film, Havoc. "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, suggesting that the term "stunt design" encompasses a wide range of skills and contributions that deserve recognition. "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 the diverse aspects of stunt work, from horseback riding and car chases to skydiving and underwater sequences, emphasizing the physical risks and dedication of those involved. "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," he added, advocating for subcategories to better recognize the varied talents within the stunt industry.

Gareth Evans, the director of Havoc and known for his work on The Raid films, supports Hardy's sentiments. "Subcategories would be nice," Evans stated, emphasizing that while awards should not be the primary motivation for stunt work, recognition is long overdue. "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, set to debut at the 2028 Academy Awards, marks a significant step after a century of oversight. Meanwhile, fans eager to see Hardy in action won't have to wait as long, as Havoc premieres on Netflix this Friday, April 25th.