Stephen King Urges Oscars Cancellation Due to LA Wildfires

Esteemed author Stephen King has publicly urged the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to cancel the 97th annual Oscars award ceremony amidst the devastating wildfires that continue to ravage Los Angeles. As reported by Deadline, King expressed his decision not to participate in the voting process this year and emphasized his belief that the Oscars should be called off entirely, citing the lack of "glitz" in a city engulfed by flames. Tragically, the fires, which ignited on January 7, have claimed at least 27 lives and persist as a harrowing threat to the region.

"Not voting in the Oscars this year," King stated in a post on Bluesky. "In my honest opinion, they should cancel them. No glitz with Los Angeles on fire."

In response to the ongoing crisis, the Academy announced on January 13 adjustments to its 2025 schedule due to the fires, though no decision has been made to cancel the event outright. The Oscars nominee luncheon was canceled as a direct result of the situation. The voting period, originally set to close earlier, has been extended until today, January 17, and the nominations announcement is now scheduled for January 23. Despite these changes, the 97th Oscars ceremony is still planned to proceed on March 2.

In a joint statement addressing the schedule modifications, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang expressed their deep sorrow over the impact of the fires and the significant losses endured by the community. "The Academy has always been a unifying force within the film industry, and we are committed to standing together in the face of hardship," they affirmed, highlighting the organization's resolve to remain a pillar of support during these challenging times.