John Wick Director Says The Oscars Are Missing Something Huge
Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick movies, says that stunt coordination should be an Oscar category.
Chad Stahelski has directed all four installments of the Keanu Reeves-led John Wick franchise, alongside his collaborator David Leitch (who co-directed the first film). Stahelski’s background as a stuntman and stunt coordinator has undoubtedly allowed him to bring a unique visual style and spectacular action choreography to the series. With that said, it makes sense he has been advocating for an Oscar category that honors stunt work.
In a recent interview with Deadline, the John Wick director was asked to make a case for why the Academy should consider honoring stunt performers at the annual awards ceremony. Stahelski replied, “What makes you think they’ve ever really considered it? Have you ever talked to anyone in the Academy about it or talked to anyone in the stunt world who has talked to the Academy about this?”
The 54-year-old filmmaker went on to suggest that stunt performers are excluded from the Oscars primarily because there aren’t enough people requesting their inclusion. While Stahelski doesn’t think a single member of the Academy would object to stunt work being recognized at the awards ceremony, he said, “no one’s having the conversation.”
He seems to believe that more people, such as fans, journalists, and folks from the stunt world, need to come forward with their desire to see the Academy show some love to stunt people.
In addition to directing every entry in the John Wick franchise, Chad Stahelski has worked closely with each film’s stunt team to design and choreograph the intricate fight scenes and action sequences that have become a hallmark of the franchise.
Plus, long before he became one of Hollywood’s hottest action directors (he’s set to helm the forthcoming Highlander reboot), Stahelski did stunt work in a string of blockbuster films, including Rambo, Deadpool 2, and The Expendables 2. Without question, he knows firsthand how challenging and strenuous it is to be a stunt performer.
While speaking with Deadline, Stahelski explained that the physical demands of stunt work, particularly in stunt-heavy movies like John Wick, make it a distinct craft that should be acknowledged separately from other technical categories, such as visual effects or sound design.
The problem, however, is that stunt work typically involves an entire department rather than a single individual. The director pointed out that it would undoubtedly be challenging for the Academy to determine which stunt person from said department would be given the Oscar.
Still, Chad Stahelski believes that stunt work is a vital part of the film industry and should be given the same respect and recognition as other crafts. His advocacy for a new category at the Academy Awards to recognize stunt performers has sparked an important conversation about the role of stunt work in cinema. As the industry continues to evolve, it’s important that all the talented individuals who make movie magic possible are shown value and support.
John Wick: Chapter 4 is now playing in theaters around the world. The latest installment follows the titular character, who faces off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes.
Directed by Chad Stahelski, the film stars Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Sahmier Anderson, Lance Reddick, Rina Sawayama, Scott Adkins, Ian McShane, Clancy Brown, Donny Yen, Bill Skarsgard, Hiroki Sumi, Yoshinori Tashiro, Daiki Suzuki, and Marko Zaror.
