The highly anticipated Los Angeles premiere of Jennifer Lopez’s inspiring new film, Unstoppable, was abruptly cancelled on Tuesday, January 7th, 2025, as a rapidly spreading wildfire threatened homes and safety in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. The star-studded event, scheduled to take place at the prestigious DGA Theater, was called off due to escalating fire and wind conditions, prioritizing the safety of attendees and crew.
Wildfire Forces Cancellation of ‘Unstoppable’ and ‘Wolf Man’ Premieres
Amazon MGM Studios, the film’s distributor, released a statement to PEOPLE confirming the cancellation: “In light of today’s safety concerns around heightened wind activity and fire outbreaks in Los Angeles, the premiere has been cancelled.” The statement emphasized the importance of safety, expressing regret for the disruption while acknowledging the necessity of the decision. “As much as we were looking forward to celebrating this wonderful and inspiring film with you, safety is our first priority. Thank you for your understanding and please stay safe.”
The devastating Pacific Palisades fire also forced the cancellation of the premiere of Universal Pictures’ horror film, Wolf Man, starring Christopher Abbott and Julia Garner, which was set to take place at TCL Chinese Theatre on the same day.
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The image depicts a raging wildfire consuming trees and vegetation in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles, California on January 7th, forcing the cancellation of multiple movie premieres.
Southern California Faces “Life-Threatening” Windstorm and Fire Danger
The Los Angeles National Weather Service issued dire warnings on Monday, January 6th, forecasting a “life-threatening” and “destructive” windstorm across Southern California. These extreme winds significantly increased the risk of wildfires, creating a volatile situation that ultimately led to the rapid spread of the Pacific Palisades fire.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is currently investigating the cause of the blaze. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for residents in the foothills of the Pacific Palisades neighborhood as the fire quickly engulfed nearly 800 acres by 2:20 p.m. local time. Over 250 Los Angeles firefighters battled the intense flames, working tirelessly to contain the emergency.
‘Unstoppable’: A Story of Resilience and Triumph Over Adversity
Despite the premiere’s unfortunate cancellation, Unstoppable remains a highly anticipated film, chronicling the remarkable true story of wrestler Anthony Robles, born with one leg. Directed by William Goldenberg and produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, the film stars Jharrel Jerome as Robles and Jennifer Lopez as his mother, Judy.
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The photo shows (left to right) Bobby Cannavale, Jharrel Jerome, Jennifer Lopez, Don Cheadle, and Matt Damon at the Toronto International Film Festival premiere of ‘Unstoppable’ on September 6, 2024.
Unstoppable premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024 to critical acclaim and enjoyed a limited theatrical release on December 6th. The film is set to begin streaming on Prime Video on January 16th, providing a global audience with access to this inspiring story of perseverance and achievement. The cast, including Don Cheadle, Michael Peña, and Mykelti Williamson, were expected to join Lopez and Jerome on the red carpet before the unfortunate cancellation. Lopez and Jerome recently promoted the film at a screening in Los Angeles on December 15th.
Jennifer Lopez’s Busy Awards Season Kickoff
The premiere cancellation comes amidst a busy awards season for Jennifer Lopez. Just days before, on January 4th, she made a glamorous red carpet appearance at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, where she received Variety‘s Creative Impact Award, recognizing her significant contributions to the entertainment industry.
Frequently Asked Questions About ‘Unstoppable’
When will Unstoppable be available to stream?
Unstoppable will be available for streaming on Prime Video starting January 16th.
Who are the producers of Unstoppable?
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are the producers of Unstoppable.
Who directed Unstoppable?
William Goldenberg directed Unstoppable.
Who plays Anthony Robles in Unstoppable?
Jharrel Jerome portrays Anthony Robles in Unstoppable.
Who plays Judy Robles in Unstoppable?
Jennifer Lopez plays Judy Robles, Anthony’s mother, in Unstoppable.