Kennedy will oversee the planning and delivery of all four major ceremonies: the Olympic opening ceremony on July 14, 2028, the Olympic closing ceremony on July 30, the Paralympic opening ceremony on August 15 and the Paralympic closing ceremony on August 27.
She succeeds Peter Rice, who was recently appointed chief content officer at Netflix, replacing Bela Bajaria. Rice will nevertheless remain involved with the Los Angeles Games as an executive producer, according to The Hollywood Reporter, which first reported the development.
The appointment brings one of the film industry’s most experienced producers into a key position as Los Angeles prepares to welcome athletes, officials and spectators from around the world.
LA28 chairperson and president Casey Wasserman praised Kennedy’s track record, describing her as a “legend” and “one of Hollywood’s all-time greats”.
“When the stars align to focus the world’s attention on Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, I can’t think of anyone better to conjure the magic of Hollywood than Kathleen,” Wasserman said.
Kennedy, in turn, described the Olympics as “a touchstone in my life”, highlighting the importance of sport in bringing people together across national and cultural boundaries.
“Casey Wasserman has a bold vision for what these Games can mean for Los Angeles and the world, and I’m thrilled he’s asked me to help bring it to life,” she said.
“My husband, Frank Marshall, and I have attended virtually every games since Los Angeles in 1984, and sport remains one of the great unifying experiences we share. Peter Rice has laid a terrific foundation, and I can’t wait to get to work with Ben Winston, our creative director, and the whole LA28 team.”
A distinguished career in Hollywood
Kennedy left Lucasfilm at the end of 2025 after serving as president for 14 years. Despite stepping away from the leadership role, she has maintained links with the company behind major entertainment franchises, including Star Wars and Indiana Jones.
Her recent credits include The Mandalorian and Grogu, released in the previous summer, and the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter, starring Ryan Gosling.
Throughout her career, Kennedy has established herself as one of Hollywood’s most influential producers, working closely with acclaimed filmmaker Steven Spielberg on celebrated productions such as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park and Lincoln.
She also played a role in selecting J.J. Abrams to direct Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the 2015 instalment that revived the franchise and generated more than $2 billion at the global box office.
Her time at Lucasfilm, however, was not without setbacks. While the company achieved major commercial successes under her leadership, productions such as Solo: A Star Wars Story in 2018 and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in 2023 delivered more mixed results.
Hollywood experience meets Olympic ambition
Kennedy’s appointment reflects LA28’s ambition to combine the global appeal of the Olympic movement with the creative resources of the entertainment capital.
The opening and closing ceremonies traditionally provide a platform for host cities to showcase their culture, history and artistic identity to a worldwide audience. In Los Angeles, the events are expected to draw heavily on the city’s film, television, music and live-entertainment industries.
With Kennedy overseeing all four ceremonies, her experience in large-scale film production and franchise storytelling is expected to play a central role in shaping the Games’ presentation.
Her longstanding personal connection to the Olympics, dating back to the 1984 Los Angeles Games, also gives her a direct link to the city’s previous experience hosting the event.
As preparations continue for 2028, Kennedy and the wider LA28 creative team will face the task of delivering ceremonies that reflect Los Angeles’ identity while celebrating the international spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic movements.