Kathleen Kennedy Replaces Peter Rice as LA28 Olympics Ceremonies Chief
The former Lucasfilm president takes charge of ceremonies and content for Los Angeles 2028 as Rice moves to Netflix, though he will remain involved as an executive producer.
By Hushread Stories, from 8 outlets · First published 28 Oct 2026
In brief
- Kathleen Kennedy has been appointed head of ceremonies and content for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
- The former Lucasfilm president replaces Peter Rice, who has been hired as chief content officer at Netflix.
- Kennedy will executive produce the opening and closing ceremonies, bringing her film production experience to the Games.
- Her appointment covers the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with less than two years remaining.
- Rice will still executive produce the opening and closing ceremonies despite handing over the leadership role.
Timeline · 3 moments
Rice to retain executive producer role on both ceremonies
Deadline Hollywood ↗Kennedy named LA28 head of ceremonies and content
The Hollywood Reporter ↗Rice's Netflix appointment sets the context for LA28 handover
Variety Movies ↗How it started
Peter Rice held the head of ceremonies and content role for Los Angeles 2028 before his move to Netflix. According to Variety Movies, Netflix hired him as its chief content officer.
His replacement, Kathleen Kennedy, comes from film production. The former president of Lucasfilm will now oversee ceremonies and content for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, The Wrap TV reported.
How it unfolded
On October 28, The Hollywood Reporter reported Kennedy's appointment to replace Rice. LA28 chairperson and president Casey Wasserman endorsed the choice, saying, "Kathleen is a legend."
Kennedy described the Olympics as "a touchstone in my life," according to The Hollywood Reporter. Her new assignment includes executive producing the opening and closing ceremonies.
The handover does not mean Rice is leaving the ceremonies entirely. Deadline Hollywood reported on October 28 that he will still executive produce the opener and closer, even as Kennedy takes over the leadership role.
Where it stands
Kennedy is taking charge with less than two years before LA28 begins, according to Deadline Hollywood. The arrangement puts a new leader in charge while retaining Rice's involvement in the two ceremonies.
The appointment establishes who will lead the work, rather than revealing what audiences will see. The supplied coverage does not detail ceremony concepts, performers or production plans.
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