Netflix Cancels 'Ballad of Buster Scruggs' Red Carpet at L.A.'s AFI Fest Amid Fires

The screening will take place as planned Sunday night at AFI Fest, which said it supported Netflix in its decision.


Netflix on Sunday said it was canceling the red carpet portion of its premiere for the Coen brothers' new movie The Ballad of Buster Scruggs amid the fires raging through California.


The screening of the film was set to take place as planned Sunday night at AFI Fest, which said it supported Netflix in its decision.


"Our hearts are with the victims and families of the Borderline shooting and of the California wildfires," Netflix said in a statement. "In light of the tragedies this week, we will be cancelling tonight's AFI Fest red carpet coverage for The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. The screening will continue as planned. We thank you in advance for understanding and encourage everyone to donate to the many organizations who are helping those impacted by the shooting and the fires."


The Western stars Tim Blake Nelson, Liam Neeson, James Franco, Zoe Kazan, Tyne Daly, and Tom Waits. It premiered at the Venice International Film Festival in August and is scheduled to be released Friday on Netflix.


The news came a day after Paramount canceled the red carpet portion of its premiere for the Mark Wahlberg comedy Instant Family on Sunday in Westwood.


Strong Santa Ana winds returned Sunday to Southern California, fanning a massive wildfire that has scorched a string of communities west of Los Angeles. Huge plumes of smoke were rising again in the fire area, which stretches miles from the northwest corner of Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley to the Malibu coast.


A one-day lull in the dry, northeasterly winds ended at midmorning, and authorities warned that the gusts would continue through Tuesday. The lull allowed firefighters to gain 10 percent control of the so-called Woolsey fire, which has burned more than 130 square miles in western Los Angeles County and southeastern Ventura County since Thursday. The count of destroyed homes remained at 177, but it was expected to increase. The death toll stood at two.


Julia Roberts and her family are among the slew of stars who have been evacuated from their homes due to the devastating fire. Others who have had to leave their homes include Martin Sheen and his wife; Kim Kardashian; Alyssa Milano; and Rainn Wilson, to name a few.


The Western Town at the Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills burned down due to the wildfires. The historic filming location was most recently used on HBO's Westworld.