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Hollywood producer Kathleen Kennedy, the force behind "E.T." and "Jurassic Park" and the former head of Lucasfilm, will oversee the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and Paralympics, organizers said Wednesday.
Kennedy replaces Peter Rice as head of ceremonies and content for LA28.
Rice was recently named chief content officer at Netflix and will stay on as an executive producer.
Kennedy, 14 years at the helm of Lucasfilm until she left earlier this year, has more than 100 producing credits, including the Indiana Jones and Star Wars franchises and "Back to the Future."
Her films have earned 120 Academy Award nominations and 25 wins. She will work with creative director Ben Winston and ceremonies veteran Scott Givens. Production is supported by FulFive, a new company formed by Fulwell Entertainment and FiveCurrents.
"Kathleen is a legend," LA28 chairperson Casey Wasserman said. "I can’t think of anyone better to conjure the magic of Hollywood."
Kennedy said she and her husband, producer Frank Marshall, have attended nearly every Games since Los Angeles in 1984.
"Peter Rice has laid a terrific foundation," she said.
The Olympics run from July 14 to July 30, 2028, with ceremonies at venues including the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Paralympics open Aug. 15 and close Aug. 27 at the Coliseum.
Organizers also announced a new slogan, "Stars Align," which debuted in a promo set to the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ "Can’t Stop."
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