John Wick films have become known for their incredible gunfights and stunts that are made more real through the use of highly skilled stuntmen. One question has continued to be asked of the fans: Why aren't these performers acknowledged at award events like the Oscars? Keanu Reeves and John Wick director Chad Stahelski have both spoken out on the matter, shedding the light on a debate which many believe should be brought front and center.
That Deserves Recognition
Reeves and Stahelski both agree that stunt performers deserve recognition at awards shows such as the Oscars and The Guild Awards and others. Even though watch John Wick Chapter 4 have their own award show, Reeves says that the best way to make this happen is to make it loud and get more people to voice their support for acknowledging these performers.
The Expert's View
As a former stuntman and director, Stahelski is uniquely qualified to talk about the issue of recognition for stunt performers. Stahelski believes that this discussion needs to happen and that everyone can agree that stunts comprise one of the most important nine departments in creating a film. Stahelski claims that stunts are present in every trailer and are an entire department, making them a major creative element of film. However, he also acknowledges that there are complexities involved in the recognition of these performers like deciding if it should be the stunt coordinator or the fight coordinator who is awarded the prize, and whether it should be responsible for the design of the stunt or the performer who is responsible for the action.
The Path to Follow
Despite the complexities, Stahelski believes that it is time for the discussion to start, and he has directly invited members of the Academy to talk to him or any other representative from the world of stunts to create a category to recognize stunt performers. He believes that people who are smart from the Academy and stunt worlds can work together to find ways to recognize these highly skilled artists.
Conclusion
The absence of recognition for stunt performers at major awards shows such as the Oscars is a debate that needs to be had. Keanu Reeves and John Wick director Chad Stahelski each believe that stunt artists need to be recognized, and Stahelski, as an authority in this field, has invited the Academy to begin a discussion on how best to do this. The complexities involved make the process difficult, but by bringing smart people from both sides together can find a solution that recognizes the hard work and dedication of these skilled performers.