Kathleen Kennedy Takes Helm for 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Ceremonies

Kathleen Kennedy will direct the ceremonial aspects of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games, organizers confirmed on Tuesday. The appointment places the former Lucasfilm president in charge of delivering all four major ceremonies, a role that replaces Peter Rice, who moved to Netflix earlier this week.

The transition follows a shift in leadership at both the Games and the streaming giant. Rice, who was named Netflix's chief content officer, will retain a position as an executive producer for the LA28 Games. He previously took over from Bela Bajaria. Kennedy steps into the role after leaving Lucasfilm at the end of 2025, where she served as president for 14 years.

The schedule for the ceremonies is fixed. The Olympic opening ceremony is set for July 14, 2028, with the closing event following on July 30. The Paralympic opening is scheduled for August 15, and the Paralympic closing ceremony will take place on August 27.

Casey Wasserman, the chairperson and president of LA28, praised Kennedy's track record in the entertainment industry. He described her as a legend and one of Hollywood's all-time greats. Wasserman stated that he could not think of anyone better suited to conjure the magic of Hollywood for the Games. He noted that the events represent a moment when the world's attention focuses on Los Angeles.

Kennedy accepted the position with enthusiasm, describing the Olympics as a touchstone in her life. She called the Games one of the great unifying experiences shared by people worldwide. She also praised Wasserman's bold vision for the Games and expressed excitement about bringing that vision to life. She noted that she and her husband, Frank Marshall, have attended nearly every Olympic Games since Los Angeles hosted the event in 1984.

In her remarks, Kennedy acknowledged the work done by her predecessor, stating that Rice laid a terrific foundation. She expressed a desire to collaborate with Ben Winston, the creative director, and the broader LA28 team. Kennedy’s career includes producing films such as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, and Lincoln alongside Steven Spielberg. She also helped select J.J. Abrams to direct Star Wars: The Force Awakens, a film that earned over $2 billion globally.

Her tenure at Lucasfilm included both successful and less successful projects. Recent credits include The Mandalorian and Grogu, released in the summer of 2025, and the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter, which stars Ryan Gosling. The appointment marks a new chapter for Kennedy following her departure from the company behind Star Wars and Indiana Jones.