Kathleen Kennedy Takes Charge of LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Ceremonies

LA28 named film producer Kathleen Kennedy its head of ceremonies and content on October 28, giving her responsibility for the opening and closing presentations at both the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Kennedy succeeds Peter Rice, who will continue as an executive producer, according to the organizing committee. Her appointment comes as planning moves from early development toward production and execution.

TheWrap reported the appointment Wednesday morning, following Rice’s selection as Netflix’s chief content officer. Kennedy will serve as executive producer of the four ceremonies.

The production team also includes Ben Winston as executive producer and creative director and Scott Givens as executive producer of production. FulFive, a venture combining Fulwell Entertainment and FiveCurrents, will support production, LA28 said.

The Olympic opening is scheduled for July 14, 2028, with the closing on July 30. The Paralympics are scheduled to open August 15 and close August 27. The organizing committee identified the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and 2028 Stadium as ceremony venues.

Kennedy brings a long film-production career to the assignment. Disney announced in January that she would leave the Lucasfilm presidency after nearly 14 years and return to full-time producing. Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan took the studio’s leadership roles.

Her continuing production work includes The Mandalorian and Grogu and Star Wars: Starfighter, Disney said in its leadership announcement. The October 28 appointment adds an international sporting event to that work; it concerns the leadership of the ceremonies, whose scheduled dates remain in 2028.

Sources LA28 appointment announcement: https://la28.org/en/newsroom/la28-adds-legendary-producer-kathleen-kennedy-as-head-of-ceremonies-and-content.html TheWrap appointment report: https://www.thewrap.com/industry-news/business/kathleen-kennedy-replaces-peter-rice-head-of-ceremonies-content-la28/ Disney January leadership announcement: https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/news/lucasfilm-leadership-transition/