Stephen King Urges Oscars Cancellation Due to LA Wildfires

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 ravaging Los Angeles.

According to Deadline, King stated he would not be voting in this year's awards and believes they should be canceled, citing the lack of "glitz" in Los Angeles amidst the devastating fires. The wildfires, which started on January 7, have 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."

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

In response to the crisis, the Academy announced on January 13 that it was adjusting its 2025 schedule, though no decision has been made to cancel the event entirely. The Oscars nominee luncheon was canceled, however.

The voting period has been extended until today, January 17, and the nominations announcement is 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 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."