Esteemed author Stephen King has urged the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to cancel the 97th annual Oscars due to the ongoing wildfires ravaging Los Angeles. As reported by Deadline, King announced he would not be voting in this year's awards and believes the ceremony should be canceled entirely, stating there's "no glitz" in Los Angeles amid the devastating fires. The wildfires, which began on January 7, have tragically claimed at least 27 lives and continue to burn.
"Not voting in the Oscars this year," King stated 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 adjustments to its 2025 schedule, though no decision has been made to cancel the Oscars outright. The nominee luncheon was canceled, and the voting period extended until January 17. The nominations will now be announced on January 23, with the 97th Oscars ceremony set to proceed as planned on 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 in conjunction with 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."
