The Screen Actors Guild canceled a planned live nomination ceremony for the SAG Awards on Wednesday due to the multiple wildfires raging in the Los Angeles area.
Instead, the nominations were announced at 10:30 a.m. in a press release to various media outlets. “Wicked” and “Shogun” led the film and TV categories with five nominations each.
Wednesday’s ceremony had been scheduled to take place at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall near downtown L.A. Actors Joey King and Cooper Koch were set to present, while Jane Fonda was to receive the guild’s Life Achievement Award. She’ll instead be given the award at the actual ceremony on Feb. 23.
“In an abundance of caution for the safety of our presenters, guests and staff, the live in-person 31st Annual SAG Awards nominations announcement has been canceled due to the wildfires and adverse wind conditions in Los Angeles,” SAG said in a social media statement.
Three different major wildfires were blazing in the L.A. area on Wednesday morning, fueled by dry conditions and the notoriously strong Santa Ana winds. At least two people were killed, and more than 1,000 structures were destroyed by the fires. An estimated 70,000 people had been ordered to evacuate their homes.
The SAG Awards are often considered the best predictor for the outcome of the Oscars. The past three Oscar winners for Best Picture — “Oppenheimer,” “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “CODA” — all won for Best Ensemble Cast Performance at the SAG Awards. This year’s nominees in that category are “A Complete Unknown,” “Anora,” “Conclave,” “Emilia Perez” and “Wicked.”
Kristen Bell will host the Feb. 23 ceremony, which will also be held at the Shrine Auditorium and streamed live on Netflix.
With News Wire Services
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