Kathleen Kennedy Named Producer for LA 2028 Olympic Ceremonies

a heavy-duty film camera and a canvas director's chair positioned on the edge of a red running track inside a massive, open-air sports stadium in Southern Calif

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Kathleen Kennedy Tapped for LA28 Olympic Ceremonies

Veteran Hollywood producer Kathleen Kennedy, renowned for her work on blockbuster franchises like Star Wars and Jurassic Park, has been named to oversee the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The announcement was made by the LA28 organizing committee on Wednesday, placing one of Hollywood’s most influential figures at the helm of the event’s creative vision.

Role and Responsibilities at LA28

Kennedy will serve as the head of ceremonies and content for LA28, guiding a team of producers as they design the look and content for both the opening and closing Olympic ceremonies. The festivities will begin on July 14, 2028, with events at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Exposition Park and SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. Her responsibilities also extend to producing both ceremonies for the Paralympics, which will start approximately one month after the Summer Olympics.

A Creative Vision for an Iconic Event

According to a statement from LA28 organizers, Kennedy’s appointment reflects the committee’s dedication to harnessing “the unparalleled creativity, cultural influence and storytelling power of the entertainment capital of the world.” They emphasized an ambition for ceremonies that are “distinctly Los Angeles and leave a lasting impression on the global stage.”

Transition in LA28 Leadership

Kennedy’s new role follows the tenure of Peter Rice, another prominent entertainment executive and former president of 21st Century Fox, who previously led the LA28 ceremonies and content team. Rice, who is now chief content officer at Netflix, will remain involved as an executive producer for the Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies.

Kennedy’s Legacy in Film and the Olympics

After concluding a 14-year run as president of Lucasfilm earlier in 2026, Kennedy brings decades of experience to the Olympic stage. Her film credits include producing “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” and “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” She co-founded Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg, resulting in cinema milestones such as “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” and the “Back to the Future” trilogy. Kennedy and her husband, producing partner Frank Marshall, have also produced films like “The Sixth Sense,” “Seabiscuit,” and “Lincoln.”

On her involvement with the Olympics, Kennedy expressed in a statement that she and Marshall have attended nearly every Olympic Games since 1984, the last time Los Angeles hosted the Summer Olympics. She emphasized the unifying power of sport, calling it “one of the great unifying experiences we share.”

Reflections from LA28 Leadership

LA28 chairman Casey Wasserman praised Kennedy, stating, “I can’t think of anyone better to conjure the magic of Hollywood than Kathleen.”

Looking Ahead to Los Angeles 2028

The ceremonies for the Summer Olympics and Paralympics are expected to showcase Los Angeles’s cultural vibrancy and storytelling prowess under Kennedy’s direction. More updates from the organizing committee are anticipated as the city prepares for one of the largest sporting events in modern history.

Source: latimes.com.