Perhaps, after years of advocating within the film industry, stunt performers will at last be acknowledged on the Oscars stage!

It seems the daredevil actions on display in Ryan Gosling’s recent flick, The Fall Guy, are not just ratcheting up audiences but also spotlighting a long-overdue ovation for daring stunt performers. For decades, the unsung heroes behind those heart-stopping action sequences have been hovering just out of the Academy Award’s limelight.

Yet, recent reports suggest a seismic shift, with industry titans such as Keanu Reeves and Tom Cruise possibly flashing their charismatic smiles in a future Oscars Stunt category. According to Empire’s in-depth conversations with the Academy’s visionaries, who are tirelessly refining and modernizing the institution to mirror the changing facets of filmmaking, the tides appear to be turning.

Note that that goal will likely take some time to accomplish, but the statements made in Empire offer crucial confirmation from Academy leaders that it is being considered.

Ryan Gosling’s The Fall Guy: A Game-Changer for Stunt Representation At Oscars

As fans of action movies eagerly await the possibility of a stunt category at the Oscars, it’s hard not to think about the incredible work that stunt performers do behind the scenes to bring our favorite films to life.

The Best Stunt category at the Oscars is finally gaining traction with the Academy after years of industry advocacy. Academy CEO, Bill Kramer, stated in an interview with Empire that they are looking into “the possibility” of adding a stunt category to the Oscars.

The actors and crew of the stunt-focused The Fall Guy have been vocal about their support for adding a stunt category to the Oscars, and their discussions have not gone unheard. With actors like Ryan Gosling leading the charge for recognition of these unsung heroes, it’s clear that the time has come for the Academy Awards to honor their contributions.

Ryan Gosling as stuntman Colt Seavers in The Fall Guy | 87North Productions

The Fall Guy was previously referred to by Gosling as “just a giant campaign to get stunts an Oscar” (via NY Times). Kramer offered some hazy insight into The Academy’s workings while also confirming that there have been discussions on the topic:

We’re talking to members of the stunt community who are Academy members about the possibility of that. We added a new award that will launch in two years for Casting Directors, so we’re always open to those discussions.

The idea of a Best Stunts category has been around for a while, and as the IGN report showed earlier this year, creating a new category is a challenging but doable endeavor.

Fans React: Stunt Category’s May Debut at the Academy Awards

For many of us, Keanu Reeves and Tom Cruise are the ultimate action stars, known for their daring stunts and commitment to doing their own action sequences whenever possible. To see them recognized alongside their stunt doubles & coordinators on Hollywood’s biggest night would be a dream come true for fans of the genre.

Keanu Reeves in John Wick | Summit Entertainment

With some of the most breathtaking stunts to ever grace the big screen, stunt work is a significant area of cinematic art. Still, since the Oscars’ inception, stunt work has not been acknowledged as a category at one of the most prestigious awards ceremonies. Nonetheless, the Academy is beginning to support the Best Stunt category after some significant advancements in recent years.

Since its 2014 debut, the John Wick franchise has received high praise for its exceptional stunt work. Also, did we forget to mention high-octane action cinematic works like the Mission Impossible film series? Well, some fans are pleased with the recent announcement, while others believe it was “long overdue” and ought to have been included decades ago.

Let’s have a look at a few comments by fans:

The decision to introduce a stunt category in the coming years shows that the Academy is committed to making sure that all aspects of filmmaking are properly acknowledged and celebrated.

With the support of the stunt community and industry leaders, it seems like it’s only a matter of time before we see a stunt category added to the list of Oscar nominations. So, as we eagerly await news of the potential new category, let’s take a moment to appreciate the incredible work of stunt performers & the impact they have on the films we love.

The Fall Guy can be rented on Apple TV.