Oscars 2025 'could be cancelled' for first time in 96 years due to LA wildfires

The Oscars 2025 is reportedly "on the verge of being cancelled" due to the deadly Los Angeles wildfires.

It's said Hollywood's biggest night of the year could be cancelled for the first time in its 96-year history. Last year's ceremony saw the likes of Cillian Murphy and Emma Stone win gongs for their dazzling performances.

But according to reports, the Official Academy Award committees are monitoring the situation daily and that it's felt it could be in bad taste if the 97th Oscars ceremony goes ahead. Stars such as Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Emma Stone and Steven Spielberg are reportedly involved.

An insider told The Sun: "The board’s main concern at this time is to not look like they are celebrating while many Los Angelenos are dealing with heartbreak and unimaginable loss. And certainly, even if the fires went out in the next week, the reality is that the city is still hurting and will be dealing with that pain for months.

"So the hierarchy decided that the focus will be support and fundraising when the right opportunities present themselves.” It's reported that the destruction has led to a "contingency strategy" being put in place for the Oscars ceremony.

The classified plan is said to have been introduced in the early noughties. This would be implemented if a "life-changing event" affects the show being aired.

At least 24 people have been killed in the California fires, with the figure expected to rise. Over 200,000 residents have been forced to evacuate their homes, with around 88,000 still under evacuation orders.

Nominations for this year's award ceremony have already been delayed - they were due to be announced on January 17 but this is now due to take place on January 23. The annual nominees luncheon, which sees the Oscars "class photo" opportunity, has been cancelled.

The nominations announcement will now be a virtual event, with no in-person media attending. Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang said in a statement: “We are all devastated by the impact of the fires and the profound losses experienced by so many in our community.

"The Academy has always been a unifying force within the film industry, and we are committed to standing together in the face of hardship”. Stars such as Mel Gibson, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Paris Hilton have had their homes destroyed in the California fires, with other celebs forced to flee their properties.