Stephen King Says the Oscars Should Be Cancelled Amid Los Angeles Wildfires

Esteemed author Stephen King has urged the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to cancel the 97th annual Oscars ceremony in light of the devastating wildfires continuing to ravage Los Angeles.

As reported by Deadline, King announced he wouldn't be participating in this year's awards voting and believes the ceremony should be postponed, stating that the current atmosphere in Los Angeles, amidst the ongoing fires, lacks the celebratory spirit typically associated with the event. The fires, which began on January 7th, have tragically claimed at least 27 lives and continue to burn.

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

The Academy responded on January 13th, announcing adjustments to its 2025 schedule in consideration of the fires. However, they have not yet addressed King's call for cancellation. The Oscars nominee luncheon has been cancelled as a result.

The voting period has been extended to January 17th, with the nominations announcement rescheduled for January 23rd. Despite King's plea, the 97th Oscars ceremony remains scheduled for March 2nd.

"We are all devastated by the impact of the fires and the profound losses experienced by so many in our community," Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang stated in response to 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."