Kathleen Kennedy’s New Career Move: Leading LA28 Olympic Ceremonies

Following her departure from Lucasfilm earlier this year, veteran producer Kathleen Kennedy has officially secured her next major creative challenge: leading the ceremonies for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. Stepping into the role previously held by Peter Rice, Kennedy will oversee the ambitious content and production strategy for the opening and closing ceremonies of the global sporting event.

The Kathleen Kennedy LA28 Vision

LA28 president Casey Wasserman has expressed immense confidence in the appointment, highlighting Kennedy’s unparalleled pedigree in the film industry. Her transition to the Olympics marks a pivot from cinematic galaxy-building to the creation of massive, high-stakes live spectacles. According to reports, she will collaborate closely with existing production teams to curate the four major ceremonies of the 2028 Games.

Kennedy, who described the Olympics as a lifelong personal touchstone, brings a wealth of expertise to the position. Her appointment is expected to infuse the event with the same high-level narrative structure that defined her successful tenure in blockbuster production.

A Legacy Defined by Lucasfilm

Before this transition, Kathleen Kennedy served as the president of Lucasfilm for nearly 14 years, a role she accepted following Disney’s acquisition of the company in 2012. Hand-picked by George Lucas, she oversaw a period of massive expansion for some of cinema’s most iconic properties.

Her impact on modern pop culture through Lucasfilm includes:

• Film Expansion: Supervising the production of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and The Last Jedi.
• Streaming Success: Spearheading the transition of the franchise to television with critically acclaimed hits like The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and Andor.
• Franchise Stewardship: Managing the ongoing evolution of both the Star Wars and Indiana Jones universes.

What This Means for Her Future

While Kennedy is embracing this new chapter with the Olympic Games, she is not abandoning her roots in filmmaking. As part of her transition strategy, she is shifting toward a full-time producing role. Fans of her work can expect to see her continued influence on upcoming projects, including The Mandalorian & Grogu and Star Wars: Starfighter.

Kathleen is a legend. She is one of Hollywood’s all-time greats, with a rare gift for storytelling. — Casey Wasserman, LA28 President

With her experience producing cinematic titans like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Jurassic Park, Kennedy is well-positioned to craft the kind of memorable, high-production value moments that the LA28 Games aim to deliver to a worldwide audience.

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