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.
According to a report by Deadline, King declared he would not be voting in the awards this year and suggested they should be canceled entirely, citing the lack of "glitz" in Los Angeles amidst the fires. The wildfires, which started on January 7, have claimed at least 27 lives and continue to rage.
"Not voting in the Oscars this year," King stated in a Bluesky post. "In my honest opinion, they should cancel them. No glitz with Los Angeles on fire."
Stephen King. Image credit: Matthew Tsang / Getty Images.
In response to the fires, the Academy announced on January 13 that it would adjust its 2025 schedule. While there has been no official decision to cancel the Oscars entirely, the nominee luncheon was canceled. The voting period was extended until January 17, and the nominations announcement is now set for January 23. The 97th Oscars ceremony is still scheduled to take place 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 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."
