The John Wick franchise has taken the action film genre by storm, captivating audiences with its intense and thrilling storyline. Starring Keanu Reeves in the titular role, the series follows the story of an ex-hitman seeking vengeance after the tragic loss of his wife and the loss of his beloved dog. What sets the franchise apart is its expertly choreographed fight sequences, stylish cinematography, and the complex and intriguing world of assassins. Each installment in the franchise delivers high-octane action, relentless violence, and a captivating exploration of honor, loyalty, and the consequences of a life lived in the shadows.
With the release of the latest installment of the franchise, John Wick: Chapter 4, and the following success of it, the film’s director Chad Stahelski reflected on the impact of Keanu Reeves’ performance and shared the progress of a Stunts category at the prestigious Academy Awards.
Chad Stahelski On The Absence Of A Stunts Category Award In The Academy Awards
Chad Stahelski, the visionary director, and former stuntman, has become synonymous with the high-octane action of the John Wick franchise. His expertise in crafting intense and visually stunning fight sequences has elevated the series to a whole new level of excitement, making it a favorite among fans. The director of John Wick: Chapter 4 now has taken a step forward to work not only for his films but also for the stunt unit of the film community by pushing for a stunt award category at the Oscars.
For years, the absence of a dedicated Stunts category at the Oscars has been a subject of discussion among film enthusiasts. Stahelski acknowledges that the reason behind this omission stems from a lack of substantial conversations on the matter.
“In truth, from what research I’ve done, is that the conversation hasn’t happened. No one from the Academy has sat down at a big table with a contingent from the stunt world and sorted it out. I mean, we’re not just talking about an American stunt team, we’re talking about a global network of stunt performers and international films from all over the world. That’s a lot of people. I don’t know if you or anyone is really familiar with how big the Academy really is, but it’s hundreds of members. It’s a lot of mechanisms to get these things done, and I just don’t think anyone’s ever sat down at the table and figured it out.”
Chad Stahelski On Engaging With The Academy For The Introduction Of Stunt Category Award
After the success of John Wick: Chapter 4, the film’s director has shared that he has actively engaged in discussions with members of the Academy to introduce a new award category to appreciate the efforts of the stunt team in the movie. The Ghost of Tsushima maker expressed his optimism, stating that these conversations have been both positive and instructive.
“So, in the last couple of months, we’ve been meeting with members of the Academy and actually having these conversations, and, to be honest, it’s been nothing but incredibly positive, incredibly instructional. I think, for the first time, we’ve made a real movement forward to making this happen. I think it’s something that can happen as soon as, you know, the next Oscars, or at least the one after that, at the latest, the next three or four years.”
Chad Stahelski also addressed the difficulty in achieving this new category in the Oscars, marking the gruesome steps to achieve the desired result.
“I think there’s a lot of working parts, but there’s also when you say that, I ask you a question back. – ‘Okay, so I’m the Academy, you’ve come to me and said we should have stunts in the Oscars, and I go, I agree with you. Great. How do we do it? How do we select the best stunt? Who do we give it to? Quick, what are your answers?”
The recognition of stunts at the Academy Awards has long been an aspiration for filmmakers and stunt performers alike. Chad Stahelski may have taken up the mantle to advocate for this important cause but the filmmaker also acknowledged the difficulty in achieving it. Nonetheless, Stahelski’s recent engagement with the Academy represents a significant step forward.
Source: Comic Book Movie
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