Kathleen Kennedy Replaces Peter Rice to Direct LA28 Ceremonies

Four separate events for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games are projected to reach an audience of billions. Kathleen Kennedy will oversee the creative execution of these ceremonies as the new head of ceremonies and content.

Organizers confirmed the appointment on Wednesday. Kennedy replaces Peter Rice, who held the position until now. The shift follows Netflix's decision to name Rice its new chief content officer. In that role, he will succeed Bela Bajaria and manage scripted and unscripted series, film, and live events across all global territories.

Rice remains with the Los Angeles 2028 committee as an executive producer. However, industry insiders previously questioned how he could manage the scope of the Netflix role alongside his Olympic duties. Kennedy will work from early development through final production. Her team includes Ben Winston, executive producer and creative director, and Scott Givens, executive producer of production.

Kennedy brings a track record of more than 100 credits dating to the early 1980s. Her films have accumulated 120 Academy Award nominations and 25 wins. She leaves her post at Lucasfilm, where she served for 14 years, after stepping down earlier in 2026. Her work spans the Star Wars franchise and various character studies, often produced alongside her husband, Frank Marshall.

Casey Wasserman, chairperson and president of LA28, praised the hiring decision. He described Kennedy as a legend with a rare gift for storytelling. He stated that she is the best person to conjure the magic of Hollywood for the Games. Kennedy said the Olympics have been a touchstone in her life. She and Marshall have attended virtually every Games since Los Angeles in 1984.

Kennedy acknowledged that Rice laid a strong foundation for the project. She plans to collaborate with Winston and the wider production team. The events will span multiple locations, including Oklahoma City and six soccer host cities. Kennedy noted that this distribution ensures all of America hosts the world's finest athletes. She previously produced Olympic Glory, a short documentary about the 1998 Nagano Games.

The Games open on July 14, 2028, at venues including the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and SoFi Stadium. The Olympic closing ceremony follows on July 30, 2028. The Paralympic events run from August 15 to August 27, 2028, with the closing ceremony held at the Coliseum. Organizers also released the official slogan, Stars Align, on Wednesday.

Wasserman called the slogan a call to action for athletes, volunteers, and fans. The phrase debuted in a short promotional video featuring the song Can't Stop by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.