Gary Powell

Born

1963-09-10

Birthplace

London, England, UK

Biography

Gary Powell is a British stunt coordinator, second unit director, and former professional stunt performer. He trained in martial arts and combat disciplines. He entered the film industry as a stunt performer in the 1990s, progressing to coordination and second-unit leadership through sustained work on action-heavy productions. Powell's international profile grew through his work on major action franchises, particularly the James Bond series. He served as stunt coordinator on Casino Royale (2006), helping redefine the franchise's physical realism, and later contributed to Skyfall (2012), where large-scale location work and intricate fight choreography were central to the film's visual identity. His Bond-related work earned major peer recognition, including a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble for Skyfall (2012). Beyond Bond, Powell played a significant role in the Bourne franchise, contributing to the stunt coordination and action design of The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) and Jason Bourne (2016). These films are frequently cited for their grounded, kinetic action style, emphasising realism, handheld camerawork, and tightly coordinated stunt ensembles. His work on The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) received a Taurus World Stunt Award for Best Stunt Coordination and/or Second Unit Direction. The stunt ensemble won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble. Powell's credits also include large-scale vehicle and destruction work, notably on Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003), where he was recognised by the Taurus World Stunt Awards with nominations for Best Work with a Vehicle and Best Overall Stunt. In later years, Powell expanded his portfolio into high-end motorsport filmmaking through F1 (2025). The production required coordination of stunts within live racing environments and at competitive speeds, blending real Formula One settings with cinematic action. His work on the film earned multiple nominations, including Critics' Choice Awards, Austin Film Critics Association Awards, St. Louis Film Critics Association Awards, and Astra Midseason Movie Awards, reflecting broad critical recognition for stunt design and execution. Throughout his career, Gary Powell has received numerous nominations and awards from industry bodies, including the Critics' Choice Awards, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the Taurus World Stunt Awards, the London Critics Circle Film Awards, and the Online Film & Television Association.