Kathleen Kennedy Replaces Peter Rice as Head of Ceremonies and Content for L.A.’s Olympic Games (Exclusive)
Developing story first seen 3 hours ago
Kathleen Kennedy has replaced Peter Rice as head of ceremonies and content for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games, while Rice remains an executive producer. The change follows Rice’s appointment as Netflix’s chief content officer, and puts an experienced Hollywood producer in charge of shaping the ceremonies.
Kennedy will help develop and deliver four opening and closing ceremonies across the Olympic and Paralympic Games, expected to reach a global audience of billions. She will work with creative director Ben Winston and production executive Scott Givens; FulFive, formed by Fulwell Entertainment and FiveCurrents, is supporting production. Kennedy has more than 100 credits, and films she produced have received 120 Academy Award nominations and 25 wins.
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In short
- Kathleen Kennedy takes the lead ceremonies role for LA28.
- Peter Rice stays on as an executive producer.
- Four ceremonies will be staged for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
How this story developed
- 2 hours ago Kathleen Kennedy has been appointed head of ceremonies and content for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games, replacing Peter Rice in the lead role.
- 2 hours ago Kathleen Kennedy has replaced Peter Rice as head of ceremonies and content for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games, while Rice remains an executive producer.
- Variety Kathleen Kennedy to Lead LA Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies After ‘Star Wars’ Exit, Replacing Peter Rice
- The Hollywood Reporter Kathleen Kennedy Replaces Peter Rice as Head of Ceremonies and Content for L.A.’s Olympic Games (Exclusive)
- Deadline Kathleen Kennedy Takes Over LA28 Ceremonies Spot; Netflix Newbie Peter Rice Will Still EP Opener & Closer
Full account
Kathleen Kennedy has been appointed head of ceremonies and content for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, succeeding Peter Rice. The appointment follows Rice’s move to become Netflix’s chief content officer. He will continue with LA28 as an executive producer, so his departure from the leadership role does not end his involvement with the ceremonies.
Kennedy will oversee the development and delivery of four ceremonies: the Olympic opening and closing, followed by the Paralympic opening and closing. The Games are scheduled to run from 14 to 30 July 2028, with the Paralympics from 15 to 27 August. She is expected to work with executive producer and creative director Ben Winston and production executive producer Scott Givens. FulFive, a new partnership between Fulwell Entertainment and FiveCurrents, is supporting production.
Kennedy is a prominent Hollywood producer whose work spans films including E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park and Lincoln, as well as the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises. She led Lucasfilm for 14 years before leaving the company; the reports differ on whether that departure was at the end of 2025 or earlier in 2026. Her record includes major successes as well as less successful releases, and the accounts give different examples and assessments of her career.
Kennedy said the Olympics have been important to her and her husband, filmmaker Frank Marshall, who have attended nearly every Games since Los Angeles hosted them in 1984. LA28 chair and president Casey Wasserman praised her storytelling experience and said she was well suited to help present Los Angeles to a global audience. Kennedy credited Wasserman’s vision and said she was looking forward to working with Rice, Winston and the LA28 team.
Where outlets differ
From the full account, which is AI-written from the sources:
One report says Kennedy left Lucasfilm earlier in 2026; another dates her departure to the end of 2025. A third describes her as a former Lucasfilm head without giving a departure date.
The reports vary in emphasis: one focuses on the scale of Kennedy’s producing career and the ceremonies team; another summarises her Lucasfilm work, successes and setbacks; the third also mentions scrutiny of LA28 and provides wider context about events across the United States.
The first report describes Kennedy as an Oscar winner and gives totals for nominations and wins associated with her films. The second calls her a widely respected producer and highlights selected credits, while the third describes her as a multiple Oscar nominee. These are differently framed career summaries.
Explained simply
The Olympic and Paralympic Games bring together athletes from many countries for competitions held every four years. Their opening and closing ceremonies introduce the events and host city, and are broadcast to audiences around the world.
Los Angeles is due to host the 2028 Games, with events also planned in Oklahoma City and six football host cities. The ceremonies are large-scale productions involving creative and production teams, and help present the Games to viewers as well as people attending in person.
Kathleen Kennedy is a film producer known for work on more than 100 films, including many made with Lucasfilm, which she led for 14 years. Her experience in film production is relevant to the planning of ceremonies that combine storytelling, performance and live events.
Coverage · 3 sources
- The Hollywood ReporterKathleen Kennedy Replaces Peter Rice as Head of Ceremonies and Content for L.A.’s Olympic Games (Exclusive)
- VarietyKathleen Kennedy to Lead LA Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies After ‘Star Wars’ Exit, Replacing Peter Rice
- DeadlineKathleen Kennedy Takes Over LA28 Ceremonies Spot; Netflix Newbie Peter Rice Will Still EP Opener & Closer