Hollywood Producer Kathleen Kennedy to Direct 2028 LA Olympic Ceremonies

More than 100 film credits form the backbone of the new leadership team for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. Kathleen Kennedy, a veteran Hollywood producer, has been appointed head of ceremonies and content. Organizers confirmed the appointment on Wednesday. This move places a major film executive in charge of the creative vision for the upcoming summer events.

Kennedy replaces Peter Rice, who held the position until now. The change follows a major career shift for Rice. Netflix named him its new chief content officer. That role oversees scripted and unscripted series, films, and live events across all global territories. Insiders had previously questioned how Rice could balance that expansive new job with his Olympic responsibilities. Rice will stay involved with the Games as an executive producer, but he will no longer lead the ceremony planning.

Kennedy will work immediately on the opening and closing ceremonies. These events are set for back-to-back competitions. The four separate events are expected to draw a global audience of billions. Her team includes Ben Winston, who serves as executive producer and creative director. Scott Givens, a veteran ceremonies producer, will act as executive producer of production. FulFive, a new entity combining Fulwell Entertainment and FiveCurrents, will support the production efforts.

Kennedy brings a long history in the industry. Her films have earned 120 Academy Award nominations and 25 wins. Her career spans decades, covering blockbusters like Star Wars and various character studies. She co-produced many of these projects with her husband, Frank Marshall, at their Kennedy/Marshall Company. She stepped down from Lucasfilm earlier in 2026 after 14 years leading that franchise.

Casey Wasserman, the chairperson and president of LA28, praised the decision. He called Kennedy a legend and one of Hollywood's all-time greats. He said she possesses a rare gift for storytelling. Wasserman stated he could not think of anyone better to capture the magic of Hollywood for the Games.

Kennedy noted that the Olympics have been a touchstone in her life. She and Marshall have attended nearly every Games since Los Angeles hosted in 1984. She acknowledged that Rice laid a strong foundation for the work ahead. She expressed excitement about working with Winston and the wider team. She also highlighted the geographic spread of the events, which will reach from Oklahoma City to six soccer cities. She said this ensures all of America gets to host the world's finest athletes.

The selection aligns with expectations set when Rice first took the role in 2025. Wasserman told The Hollywood Reporter then that Los Angeles is the creative capital of the world. He insisted organizers had to deliver a spectacular experience. In a recent interview at Bloomberg's Screentime event in Los Angeles, Kennedy discussed her time at Lucasfilm. She said the challenge with long-running franchises is to create something new and original.

The Olympic Games are scheduled to open on July 14, 2028. They will close on July 30, 2028. Venues will include the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and SoFi Stadium. The Paralympic Games will open on August 15, 2028. Their closing ceremony is set for August 27, 2028, at the Coliseum.

Organizers also unveiled a new official slogan on Wednesday: Stars Align. They describe the phrase as a rallying cry and an invitation for athletes to compete. Wasserman called it a call to action for athletes, volunteers, and fans. The slogan debuted in a short promotional video featuring the Red Hot Chili Peppers song Can't Stop.