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Olympics tap former Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy to lead opening and closing ceremonies
Kathleen Kennedy has been appointed to lead the production teams for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, after the original choice, Peter Rice, took a role at Netflix. The appointment brings a prominent Hollywood producer to a major event, with organisers saying they want ceremonies that reflect Los Angeles and make a lasting impression.
Kennedy will remain an executive producer while assembling teams for both ceremonies. The opening ceremony is scheduled for 14 July 2028, with events at the Los Angeles Coliseum and SoFi Stadium at the same time. Her film credits include *E.T.*, *Back to the Future* and *Jurassic Park*; the article also notes criticism of her tenure leading Lucasfilm, particularly over Disney-era *Star Wars*.
In short
- Kathleen Kennedy will lead production for both LA28 ceremonies.
- Peter Rice left the role after taking a job at Netflix.
- The opening ceremony is planned across two venues on 14 July 2028.
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The case for
Kennedy’s record producing major films and leading large creative teams could help deliver ceremonies with the scale, polish and broad appeal expected of an Olympics watched around the world. Her appointment may also help the event draw on Los Angeles’s film industry and give the city’s cultural identity a prominent place in the celebrations.
The case against
Producing successful films does not necessarily equip someone to shape a live event that must represent a diverse city and a global sporting movement. Given criticism of Kennedy’s Lucasfilm tenure, organisers could reasonably face questions about whether her leadership record and creative approach are the right fit, and whether a high-profile Hollywood appointment will serve the wider community.
Explained simply
The Olympic Games open with a ceremony before the sporting events begin and close with another at the end. These large-scale productions combine performances, music and national displays, and are watched by audiences around the world.
The 2028 Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles, where the organising committee is responsible for planning the ceremonies. Kathleen Kennedy is a film producer whose credits include E.T., Back to the Future and Jurassic Park; she has also led Lucasfilm, the studio behind Star Wars.