It’s wild to think that we’re under two years away from the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, and with the clock ticking, organizers have been forced to call in the big guns for the opening and closing ceremonies.
And by big guns, I mean the Hollywood producer often credited with ruining “Star Wars.”
According to The New York Post, organizers had to make a switch when their original choice to lead the ceremony charge, Peter Rice, took a job as Chief Content Officer at Netflix.
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An Olympic rings flag at the University of Southern California on March 30, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
While he’ll stay on as an executive producer, Kennedy — who led Lucasfilm after George Lucas sold the company to Disney and rode off into the double Tatooine sunsets with his billions and flannel shirts — will cobble together a team of producers for both ceremonies.
The opening ceremony is set to take place on July 14 at the Los Angeles Coliseum and SoFi Stadium at the same time.
Hollywood producer and former Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy has been tasked with leading the charge for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. (Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/WireImage and Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images))
“This appointment reinforces LA28’s commitment to harness the unparalleled creativity, cultural influence and storytelling power of the entertainment capital of the world,” a statement from organizers reads. “Ceremonies that are distinctly Los Angeles and leave a lasting impression on the global stage.”
Okay. Kennedy is without a doubt a legend in Hollywood and produced massive movies like “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial,” “Back to the Future” and “Jurassic Park.”
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But have they seen any of the Disney-era Star Wars movies (aside from “Rogue One,” that one was pretty good)?!
In fact, OutKick’s own Ian Miller has written at length about the many missteps Disney has made with the franchise under Kennedy’s watch.
Former Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy poses with Stormtroopers at the premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” (Todd Williamson/Getty Images)
Kennedy was also ripped in a 2023 “South Park” special titled “South Park: Joining the Panderverse.”
It’s wild for an Olympics in a city packed with creative people to go with someone whose stock might be at its lowest after her time leading Lucasfilm.
If this was the ’84, ’96, or ’02 Games, solid choice.
Post-“The Acolyte?” Not so much.
Of course, the opening and closing ceremonies aren’t likely to taint the entire Games. Then again, I didn’t think the sequel trilogy could taint “Star Wars” for me.
And, well, here we are.
