Esteemed author Stephen King has urged the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to cancel the 97th annual Oscars ceremony due to the ongoing wildfires devastating Los Angeles. According to Deadline, King announced he would not be voting in this year's awards and suggested that the Oscars should be cancelled, stating there's "no glitz" in Los Angeles amidst the fires. The tragic fires, which started on January 7, have claimed at least 27 lives and continue to rage.
"Not voting in the Oscars this year," King shared on Bluesky. "In my honest opinion, they should cancel them. No glitz with Los Angeles on fire."
In response to the crisis, the Academy announced on January 13 that it was adjusting its 2025 schedule, though there's been no decision to cancel the Oscars entirely. The Oscars nominee luncheon has been cancelled, and the voting period has been extended to January 17, with nominations now set to be announced on January 23. The 97th Oscars ceremony is still scheduled for March 2.
"We are all devastated by the impact of the fires and the profound losses experienced by so many in our community," stated CEO Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang alongside the schedule changes. "The Academy has always been a unifying force within the film industry, and we are committed to standing together in the face of hardship."
