Esteemed author Stephen King has urged the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to cancel the 97th annual Oscars award ceremony due to the ongoing wildfires devastating Los Angeles. As reported by Deadline, King stated he would not be voting in the awards this year and believes they should be canceled, citing the lack of "glitz" in Los Angeles amidst the fires. The wildfires, which started on January 7, have tragically claimed at least 27 lives and continue to burn.
"Not voting in the Oscars this year," King expressed on Bluesky. "In my honest opinion, they should cancel them. No glitz with Los Angeles on fire."
In response to the fires, the Academy announced on January 13 adjustments to its 2025 schedule, though there has been no mention of canceling the event entirely. The Oscars nominee luncheon has been canceled, and the voting period was extended to January 17, with the nominations announcement now scheduled for January 23. The 97th Oscars ceremony is 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," said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang in a statement accompanying 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."
