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 upcoming 97th annual Oscars ceremony due to the ongoing wildfires ravaging Los Angeles.

According to Deadline, King, who has decided not to vote in this year's awards, expressed his view that the event should be called off, emphasizing the inappropriateness of "glitz" in a city engulfed by fires. The devastating wildfires, which started on January 7, have 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."

Stephen King. Image credit: Matthew Tsang / Getty Images.

In response to the crisis, the Academy announced on January 13 that it would adjust its 2025 schedule, though no decision has been made to cancel the Oscars entirely. The nominee luncheon has been canceled, and the voting period has been extended to January 17, with the nominations announcement now scheduled for January 23. The 97th Oscars ceremony remains set for 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."