Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg is set to welcome TV viewers to NBC’s Summer Olympics coverage by narrating the short film Land of Stories just before the opening ceremony in Paris on July 26.
NBCUniversal, set to cover the Olympic Summer Games, said the Munich director would appear in the four-minute film, which was shot on a Universal Studios soundstage in November 2023. That had a gallic Spielberg transported to Paris via the artistry of Industrial Light & Magic.
“Steven Spielberg is one of the world’s greatest storytellers. For decades we have been moved to experience the full range of human emotions through his fully immersive storytelling style. It was a thrill to see Steven so excited to speak about the magic of the Olympics — from the moments we all remember to the potential of the current athletes,” Molly Solomon, president and executive producer at NBC Olympics Production, said in a statement.
NBCUniversal will use parts of Land of Stories to promote its Olympics coverage across studio platforms and in AMC and Imax theaters. Spielberg is the latest sign that NBCUniversal is raising the star wattage for its upcoming 2024 Olympics coverage.
NBC Sports has lined up a host of celebrities to bring star power to the 17-day event.
During the opening ceremony on July 26, Kelly Clarkson, Peyton Manning, Today hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb and sports commentator Mike Tirico will be on the scene as thousands of athletes make their way down the River Seine on an unprecedented 4-mile-long flotilla made up of more than 90 boats.
Among the names who’ll provide coverage through the Games are NBA All-star Dwyane Wade (basketball), comedian Leslie Jones (who’s been named “chief super fan commentator”), longtime commentator Mary Carillo, NBC talent including Willie Geist and Steve Kornacki, and Snoop Dogg.
Elsewhere, Kenan Thompson will co-host a Peacock highlights show with Kevin Hart, and Saturday Night Live regular Colin Jost will be traveling to Tahiti to cover the surfing competition.
Live coverage of the opening ceremony on July 26 will air or stream on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo.
