Nomination announcements have been delayed amid devastating wildfires in California
The 97th Oscars ceremony will go ahead despite the severe wildfires ravaging Los Angeles, the Hollywood Reporter has claimed, citing “senior figures” at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
This week, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang announced that the Oscar nominations would be revealed on January 23, having been postponed from January 17 and January 19. They also confirmed that the 97th Oscars will still take place on March 2.
The wildfires that erupted last week in Southern California have resulted in widespread devastation. At least 25 people have lost their lives, while the flames have scorched over 40,000 acres of land. More than 12,000 buildings have been destroyed, with entire neighborhoods reduced to ruins.
The announcement that the Oscar nominations had been rescheduled sparked speculation that the Academy was considering canceling this year’s ceremony. Moreover, fake images of the iconic Hollywood sign or nearby grassy areas burning spurred further rumors about a potential threat to the annual event.
British tabloid The Sun has claimed, citing unnamed sources, that the Academy set up a special committee to monitor the situation daily, with stars including Tom Hanks, Emma Stone, Meryl Streep, and Steven Spielberg said to be aware of the matter. According to the tabloid, a “contingency strategy” aimed at calling off the highly anticipated event is expected to be implemented if a “life-changing event” affects the show being aired.
Top officials at the Academy ruled out the scenario in an interview with Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday, saying that the organization’s 55-person board of governors – which includes none of those listed by The Sun – is the only body responsible for how the Academy should proceed.
The magazine reported that the board, which includes four members who lost their homes in the fires, had canceled this year’s Oscar Nominees Luncheon and postponed the Scientific and Technical Awards.
