Kathleen Kennedy to Steer LA28 Olympic Ceremonies After Lucasfilm Exit
WHO:
The Hollywood Reporter - Peter Rice had previously been LA28’s “No. 1 ‘overall’ pick” among candidates, according to Casey Wasserman, who said in 2025 that Rice was the first person LA28 approached.
The Hollywood Reporter - Frank Marshall served on the U.S. Olympic Committee’s executive committee for more than a decade.
The Hollywood Reporter - Kathleen Kennedy recently appeared at Bloomberg’s annual Screentime event in Los Angeles.
The Hollywood Reporter - Kathleen Kennedy departed her Lucasfilm post after 14 years leading the franchise.
The Hollywood Reporter - Kennedy’s credits include work with Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Robert Zemeckis, J.J. Abrams, Rian Johnson, and Shawn Levy.
ComingSoon.net - Kathleen Kennedy, veteran producer and former Lucasfilm leader, is taking on a role shaping the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
Deadline - Kennedy is taking over the LA28 ceremonies position from Peter Rice; Rice will remain an executive producer of the opening and closing ceremonies.
Variety - Kennedy, described as the former head of Lucasfilm, was tapped as head of ceremonies and content for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, replacing Peter Rice.
The Hollywood Reporter - LA28 chairperson and president Casey Wasserman praised Kennedy as “a legend” and “one of Hollywood’s all-time greats, with a rare gift for storytelling.”
The Hollywood Reporter - Kennedy will work with executive producer and creative director Ben Winston, production executive producer Scott Givens, and the LA28 team. FulFive, an entity composed of Fulwell Entertainment and FiveCurrents, supports ceremony production.
The Hollywood Reporter - Kennedy has more than 100 production credits; her films received 120 Academy Award nominations and 25 wins. Her credits include *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial*, *Jurassic Park*, *Back to the Future*, *The Color Purple*, and multiple *Star Wars* films and series.
The Hollywood Reporter - Kennedy said, “The Olympics have been a touchstone in my life.” She said she and her husband, Frank Marshall, have attended virtually every Games since Los Angeles in 1984.
The Hollywood Reporter - Kennedy produced the short documentary *Olympic Glory*, covering the 1998 Nagano Games. Marshall received an Olympic Shield in 2005 for contributions to the Olympic and Paralympic movements.
WHAT:
The Hollywood Reporter - Casey Wasserman said LA28 must “knock people’s socks off,” citing expectations for Los Angeles and Hollywood as the “creative capital of the world.”
The Hollywood Reporter - Kennedy said LA28 chair Casey Wasserman had a “bold vision” for what the Games “can mean for Los Angeles and the world.”
The Hollywood Reporter - Kennedy’s recent credits include *Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu*.
The Hollywood Reporter - LA28’s previous slogans included “A New World” for Rio 2016, “United by Emotion” for Tokyo 2020, and “Games Wide Open” for Paris 2024.
The Hollywood Reporter - Kennedy said of franchise work: “the challenge is to try to create something new, something original.”
The Hollywood Reporter - Kennedy’s credits also include the Indiana Jones franchise, *Arachnophobia*, *Hook*, *Congo*, *Twister*, *The Sixth Sense*, *A Map of the World*, *A.I. Artificial Intelligence*, *War Horse*, and *Lincoln*.
The Hollywood Reporter - Kennedy’s listed *Star Wars* credits include *The Acolyte* and *Andor*.
The Hollywood Reporter - A short promotional video introducing LA28’s “Stars Align” slogan features “Can’t Stop” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
The Hollywood Reporter - LA28 confirmed Kennedy’s appointment as head of ceremonies and content. She will help develop and deliver ceremonies for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, spanning four events and an audience expected to number billions.
Variety - Rice became Netflix chief content officer, replacing Bela Bajaria, and will continue as an LA28 executive producer.
The Hollywood Reporter - LA28 announced the slogan “Stars Align,” described as a rallying cry and invitation for athletes. It accompanies the Olympic motto “Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together” and Paralympic motto “Change Starts with Sport.”
WHERE:
Deadline - The Games are in Los Angeles, with events at SoFi Stadium and the L.A. Memorial Coliseum.
The Hollywood Reporter - Events will also take place in Oklahoma City and six soccer/football cities; Kennedy said the Games would involve “all of America.”
WHEN:
The Hollywood Reporter - *Star Wars: Starfighter*, starring Ryan Gosling, is anticipated for 2027.
The Hollywood Reporter - The Olympic opening ceremony is scheduled for July 14, 2028, and the Games close July 30, 2028.
The Hollywood Reporter - The Paralympic opening ceremony is scheduled for Aug. 15, 2028, and its closing ceremony for Aug. 27, 2028.
WHY:
The Hollywood Reporter - Kennedy said the Games are rooted in Los Angeles and that sport is “one of the great unifying experiences we share.”
HOW:
The Hollywood Reporter - Kennedy produced *Olympic Glory*, directed by Kieth Merrill.
The Hollywood Reporter - Kennedy is expected to work from early development through production and execution with LA28’s ceremonies team and production partners.
(UPDATED October 29, 2026 01:14 UTC)
Kathleen Kennedy, the veteran producer who recently left Lucasfilm after 14 years, will lead ceremonies and content for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games, taking over the role from Peter Rice, who remains an executive producer. She’ll work with LA28’s ceremonies team and production partners on four events expected to reach billions, with activities in Los Angeles, Oklahoma City and six other soccer cities. Kennedy, whose film credits include “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” “Jurassic Park” and multiple “Star Wars” projects, says the Olympics have been a touchstone in her life and that sport is a powerful unifying experience.
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(UPDATED October 28, 2026 21:01 UTC)
Kathleen Kennedy has departed her Lucasfilm leadership post after 14 years and will lead ceremonies and content for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games, taking over the role from Peter Rice, who remains an executive producer. Kennedy, whose more than 100 producing credits include *E.T.*, *Jurassic Park* and multiple *Star Wars* projects, will work with the LA28 team to develop and deliver four ceremonies for a global audience. The Olympic opening ceremony is scheduled for July 14, 2028, and the Games close July 30, 2028; the Paralympics run from an Aug.
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(UPDATED October 28, 2026 19:03 UTC)
Kathleen Kennedy, the veteran producer and former Lucasfilm leader behind films including *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial*, *Jurassic Park* and *Star Wars*, will lead ceremonies and content for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games, taking over the role from Peter Rice. Rice will remain an executive producer as Kennedy works with creative director Ben Winston and the LA28 team to develop and deliver four ceremonies expected to reach billions of viewers. The Games will span Los Angeles and other cities, with the Olympic opening ceremony scheduled for July 14, 2028, and the Paralympic closing ceremony for Aug.