CinemaOscar cancelled? Academy says speculations are false and ceremony is guaranteed

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which organizes the Oscardenied that the ceremony will be canceled and maintained the date of the event, scheduled for March 2nd.

The confirmation comes after speculation about a possible cancellation of the 97th edition of the award amid the fires that hit the city of Los Angeles more than a week ago (via HollywoodReporter).

The rumors started in the UK with the tabloid The Sunwhich published an article stating that the 2025 Oscars would be on the verge of cancellation and the situation would be monitored by a committee made up of celebrities such as Tom Hanks, Emma Stone, Meryl Streep and Steven Spielberg.

According to the investigation of the HollywoodReporter From conversations with people close to the celebrities mentioned above, as well as important figures at the Academy, no such plan is being contemplated and no advisory committee exists.

The only body that currently evaluates the measures that should be adopted by the organization is a council made up of 55 people — and which does not include any of the names mentioned by the The Sun. It was this same council that determined, last Monday (January 13), that the date will be maintained.

The group — which includes four people who lost their homes in the fires — however, extended the voting period for Oscar nominations, postponed the announcement of the nominees; canceled this year’s Oscar Nominees Luncheon; and postponed the Scientific and Technical Award.

Logistics and worthy opportunity

Any change to the ceremony would require complex negotiation with the ABCa long-time partner in the television broadcast of the event. Additionally, organizers see the Oscars as a worthy opportunity to raise funds and celebrate firefighting efforts.

The news generated different reactions from important names in the film industry. The actress Jean Smart suggested that television stations not broadcast the ceremony and that sponsors donate the proceeds to victims and firefighters. Following the same line, the writer Stephen King declared that he will not vote at this year’s Oscars: “No ostentation with Los Angeles on fire.”

On the other hand, names like Rosanna Arquette defended the maintenance of the event. On social media, the actress stated that “I would love to see this year’s SAG, Oscar and Grammy awards turn the shows into programs to raise money for the community, the city of Los Angeles, for families who have lost their homes, pets and memories of life and to our beloved firefighters who saved lives.”

Another factor has weight in favor of maintaining the 2025 Oscars: the award has never been canceled — not even during the Second World War or the Covid-19 pandemic, when the ceremony was held in a reduced format. Finally, defenders still argue that the market is recovering after the coronavirus and strikes, in addition to the fact that the ceremony employs around a thousand local residents.

Fire in Los Angeles

The wildfires began on Tuesday, January 7, and have impacted tens of thousands of people. So far, 25 deaths have been confirmed as a result of the flames, according to California authorities.

More than 12 thousand buildings, houses and other structures were reduced to rubble; and 88,000 residents were ordered to leave their homes. Among those affected are celebrities such as actors paris hilton and Anthony Hopkinsin addition to Adrian Smithguitarist of Iron Maiden.