Kennedy Takes Helm of LA28 Ceremonies as Rice Moves to Netflix

Hollywood producer Kathleen Kennedy has been named the head of ceremonies and content for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. Organizers confirmed the appointment on Wednesday, marking a leadership change just over two years before the competition begins. Kennedy succeeds Peter Rice, who has held the position since 2025.

The transition follows Netflix's decision to hire Rice as its new chief content officer. In that role, Rice will oversee scripted and unscripted series, films, and live events across all international territories. Insiders had previously questioned whether he could balance such a global corporate portfolio with the demands of the Olympic role. Rice will remain with the Los Angeles 2028 organization as an executive producer, but he will step back from day-to-day leadership.

Kennedy, who is expected to start immediately, will guide the creative direction for four separate events designed to reach a global audience of billions. Her team includes Ben Winston, an executive producer and creative director, and Scott Givens, a veteran ceremonies producer who will serve as executive producer of production. The production effort is supported by FulFive, a new entity combining Fulwell Entertainment and FiveCurrents.

The new leader brings a career spanning more than four decades. Her filmography includes over 100 credits, with works that have generated 120 Academy Award nominations and 25 wins. She co-runs the Kennedy/Marshall Company with her husband, Frank Marshall, and left her 14-year tenure at Lucasfilm earlier this year. Casey Wasserman, chairperson and president of LA28, described Kennedy as a legend with a rare storytelling gift. He stated that no one else was better suited to conjure the magic of Hollywood for the Games.

Kennedy noted that the Olympics have been a touchstone in her personal life. She and Marshall have attended nearly every Games since the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. She credited Rice with laying a strong foundation for the project. The upcoming events will utilize venues ranging from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to SoFi Stadium, with soccer matches spread across six U.S. cities, including Oklahoma City.

The committee also introduced a new official slogan on Wednesday: Stars Align. Wasserman described the phrase as a call to action for athletes, volunteers, and fans. The slogan debuted in a short promotional video featuring the Red Hot Chili Peppers song Can't Stop. The Olympic Games are scheduled to open on July 14, 2028, and close on July 30, 2028. The Paralympic Games will run from August 15 to August 27, 2028.