Several Hollywood Film Premieres and the Critics Choice Awards, are Shut Down Amid Raging LA Wildfires

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Due to the ongoing series of large-scale wildfires in Los Angeles since January 7, 2025, driven by strong winds, several events such as movie premieres, theme parks, and the Critics Choice Awards have been temporarily halted. These fires have displaced tens of thousands of residents and devastated numerous homes in the region.

Currently, the Palisades Fire spans over 11,802 acres, and the Eaton Fire covers approximately 10,600 acres. Neither fire is being contained at the moment. With air quality posing a threat to health, wind advisories in place, and California Governor Gavin Newsom declaring a state of emergency for the Palisades, several prominent events have been postponed or canceled.

It was announced yesterday that the premieres of “Wolf Man” and Jennifer Lopez’s movie “Unstoppable,” originally scheduled for January 7th, were unexpectedly called off. Similarly, the Los Angeles premiere of Paramount’s “Better Man,” initially planned for January 8th, 2025, was postponed late Tuesday evening. Additionally, the upcoming medical series on Max, titled “The Pitt,” which was supposed to debut on the same day, has also been indefinitely delayed.

Moreover, not only is Universal Studios Hollywood but also Universal CityWalk have been temporarily shut down because of severe winds and wildfire risks. They are optimistic about reopening by Thursday, assuming the weather cooperates.

According to Variety, the Critics Choice Awards scheduled for January 12, 2025, in Santa Monica have been delayed due to the destructive wildfires in the LA county region. Joey Berlin, COO of the Critics Choice Association, informed Variety that the postponement has occurred and further information will be shared soon. This is just one example of numerous prestigious award ceremonies affected by the recent fires.

I was looking forward to the live SAG Awards nomination announcement, but it seems that plan had to be scrapped and instead, we’re getting a press release revealing the nominees. Unfortunately, the AFI Awards luncheon, which was originally scheduled for January 10th, has been postponed as well. The BAFTA Tea Party, scheduled for January 11th at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, has also been called off. It’s a bit of a disappointment, but I’m hopeful that these events will be rescheduled or held virtually to maintain safety and keep us connected with the world of cinema.

The LA Wildfires are Having a Devastating Impact on the City and its Citizens

In addition to causing disruptions in the film and TV industry, the wildfires raging around Los Angeles are also causing problems for air travel. Numerous flights from LAX and Burbank Airport have experienced significant delays due to the thick smoke. The Palisades Fire has already razed over a thousand structures, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down as the strong winds have exacerbated the situation. Ultimately, it is people’s lives that are in danger rather than just buildings or events, and the dire circumstances continue to escalate.

On January 8th, as stated publicly by LA County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone through CNN, he made the following remark:

In Los Angeles County, there aren’t sufficient firefighters to manage four such large fires simultaneously. The LA County Fire Department was ready for one or two major wildfires, but not four, considering the persistent winds and low humidity levels. This isn’t a typical red flag warning. People were asking for help, and we were striving to provide them with the necessary assistance. At present, both the LA County Fire Department and the Los Angeles City Fire Department are prioritizing life safety while also implementing structure protection, boundary control, and aerial operations. We are doing our utmost, but unfortunately, there aren’t enough firefighters in LA County to cope with this situation, given the multiple fires.

scarcely a week into the new year, a significant event has occurred that is affecting not just the film industry, but also its workers. Amidst all the chatter about whether films slated for 2025 such as Superman, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and Avatar: Fire and Ash will boost box office sales, these discussions hold little relevance at present, as people are evacuating their homes due to safety concerns.

It’s quite unusual to ponder over the fact that only three days ago, Los Angeles was buzzing with the Golden Globes, and so drastically, in less than two full days, how much could transform.

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2025-01-09 03:03