The red carpet premieres for Karyn Kusama’s thriller “Destroyer” starring Nicole Kidman, and Steve McQueen’s “Widows,” starring Viola Davis at the AFI Fest have been canceled as the Woolsey Fire continued to affect Southern California.
“Destroyer” and “Widows” will still screen as scheduled on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively, but both Annapurna and Twentieth Century Fox called off the red carpet events, following the lead of Paramount and Netflix. The two studios previously called off their red carpets for the Mark Wahlberg comedy “Instant Family,” scheduled for Saturday night, and the Coen Brothers’ “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” and the Sandra Bullock thriller “Bird Box,” both scheduled to premiere on Sunday.
See Annapurna’s statement below:
After the tragic events of last week’s mass shooting and the continued wildfires across our beautiful state, we will be cancelling tonight’s AFI FEST red carpet for DESTROYER. The screening of the film will go on as planned. Annapurna along with the filmmakers, cast and crew of DESTROYER express their deepest condolences to the victims and those who have been affected and are extremely grateful to all who have risked their lives in responding to both tragedies. If you are seeking ways to help support victims and our first responders, please see a list of wonderful organizations we too will be supporting.
Direct Relief
Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation
California Community Foundation Wildfire Relief Fund
Humane Society of Ventura County
National Resource Defense Council
Sierra Club
White Cloud Ranch
Everytown for Gun Safety
“In light of the recent devastating events throughout California, Twentieth Century Fox has canceled its planned red carpet for ‘Widows’ at AFI Fest,” a spokesperson for Fox said in a statement. “The screening of the film will continue as planned, and the studio will match the cost of its post-screening event with a donation to the United Way of Greater Los Angeles Disaster Relief Fund. Our hearts are with all those impacted, and our thanks go out to all the first responders working tirelessly to help everyone in need.”
Multiple fires in Southern California have ravaged Malibu, Calabasas and other nearby communities over the past six days. The fire has burned more than 91,500 acres and destroyed more than 400 homes and buildings, with Santa Ana winds threatening to make it increasingly difficult for firefighters to manage in the days ahead. Officials say the Woolsey fire is one of the largest to strike L.A. County in more than 100 years.