Lucasfilm Executive Kathleen Kennedy Set to Direct All Four 2028 LA Ceremonies

The 2028 Los Angeles Olympic opening ceremony is scheduled for July 14, 2028, and the closing for July 30. The Paralympic opening follows on August 15, with the closing on August 27. Kathleen Kennedy has been appointed to lead all four events.

Organizers announced that Kennedy, former president of Lucasfilm, will serve as head of ceremonies and content. She succeeds Peter Rice, who was named Netflix's chief content officer earlier this week. Rice will remain an executive producer for the games.

Casey Wasserman, chairperson and president of LA28, praised Kennedy in the announcement. He described her as a legend and one of Hollywood's all-time greats. Wasserman stated that he could not think of anyone better to create the magic of Hollywood for the world's attention. Kennedy called the Olympics a touchstone in her life and one of the great unifying experiences shared by people.

Kennedy noted that she and her husband, Frank Marshall, have attended virtually every Olympic Games since Los Angeles hosted the event in 1984. She said she is thrilled to help bring Wasserman's bold vision to life. She also credited her predecessor, saying Rice has laid a terrific foundation.

The former executive left Lucasfilm at the end of 2025 after 14 years as president. She retains ties to the company behind Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Her recent credits include The Mandalorian and Grogu, which released last summer, and the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter, led by Ryan Gosling.

Kennedy worked closely with Steven Spielberg on films such as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, and Lincoln. She helped select J.J. Abrams to direct 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens. That film earned more than $2 billion globally and helped revive the franchise.

Her tenure at the studio included mixed results. Disappointments included 2018's Solo: A Star Wars Story and 2023's Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Kennedy said she looks forward to working with Ben Winston, the creative director, and the wider LA28 team.