Behind the scenes, Gill, Leitch and others are continuing to try to build support for a stunt Oscar, in part by better conveying the creativity and technical ingenuity involved in bringing about modern movie spectacle. For his work on "The Fall Guy," O'Hara received the title of stunt designer, as opposed to the traditional "stunt coordinator" — a first for the industry that brings stunts in line with other crafts like production design and costume design.

"For the longest time you heard all these rumors: 'They're not going to add another category because there's not enough space in the telecast,' " says O'Hara. "It's not true. You have to plead a case and follow through with it. It's a political thing — it's a dance to kind of get these points across. Now that casting got it, we know it's possible."

In another hopeful sign, this year's Oscars included a special tribute to the stunt community, presented by Blunt and Gosling and produced by Leitch and McCormick. "They've been such a crucial part of our industry since the beginning of cinema," Gosling told the crowd to warm applause between riffs with Blunt about their "Barbenheimer" feud. "To the stunt performers and the stunt coordinators who help make movies magic, we salute you."

"I think we're in a really good spot," says Leitch. "There is movement and there are benchmarks to hit and we see a path. The fact that they allowed for the tribute at the show this year was a sign of, like, 'Keep going, guys.' I think they'd really like it to happen. It's good for them."

Whatever happens with the Oscar campaign, Leitch and McCormick are already looking ahead to a possible "Fall Guy" sequel and dreaming up what other mind-blowing stunts it could include.

"Knock on wood, if the movie gods and the audience want to go back and see something more from this world and these characters, this whole team would be like, 'Let's do it,' because it was one of the best film experiences we've had," Leitch says.

"Ryan and David have a cool idea for a sequel," says McCormick. "And Emily said she wishes we could keep doing these until she's in a wheelchair."

Come to think of it, you could do some pretty cool stunts with a wheelchair. Who knows? You might even win an Oscar.

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