Inside experts’ daring ideas for the 2032 Games opening ceremony

The opening night of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is more than just a one-off spectacle, it’s an opportunity to shape Brisbane’s legacy.

Hollywood heavyweight Chris Hemsworth would bring star power to the opening ceremony. Picture: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

The opening ceremony for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is more than just a one-night spectacle, it’s an opportunity to shape Brisbane’s legacy, some of our biggest names in entertainment production say.

Tourism and Events Queensland marketing group executive Kim McConnie, who has managed global events such as the NFL Super Bowl halftime show, said Olympic organisers need to do all they can to leverage ongoing opportunities from the opening ceremony.

“The opening ceremony is a gift, but the real challenge is leveraging that moment to create a legacy that continues to elevate Brisbane and Queensland on the global stage,” she said.

This story is part of The Courier-Mail’s annual Future Brisbane series advocating for a focus on the right legacy outcomes from the hosting of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. You can read all of our coverage here.

“It’s an amazing moment in time, and it’s a gift … that keeps on giving. We need to make sure that we leverage that legacy beyond 2032.”

Ms McConnie said she imagined an opening ceremony set against the backdrop of the Great Barrier Reef, featuring performances from our top ­celebrity exports, including cartoon icon Bluey, conservation stars Bindi, Robert and Terri Irwin, and Hollywood heavyweights like the Hemsworth brothers, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban.

‘Natural fit’: Keith Urban brings a massive country music audience to the ceremony. File picture: Michael TRAN / AFP)

She said Urban, a Queensland native, is a natural fit for the main event.

“Keith Urban embodies Queensland’s connection with country music,” she said.

“You can imagine that really bringing what we’re famous for – we do country so well, and it feels like it fits Queensland much more than any of our counterparts in other states.”

Moreover, she said the inclusion of Bluey, Brisbane’s ­beloved animated blue heeler who has become a global sensation, was an absolute must.

“I really hope that Bluey is part of our opening ceremony,” Ms McConnie said.

“She’s coming to life in a way which none of us expected.”

As organisers begin to map out the plan for 2032, Ric Birch – the director of entertainment at World Expo 88 and producer of five separate Olympic Games, including Sydney 2000 – cautioned against replicating the formula from past events.

“Each ceremony is of course of its own particular time and place,” he said. “The difference between Brisbane of ’82 and Brisbane of ’32 is astronomical.

Bluey has captured the imaginations of millions of people around the world.

“There is no way that the ceremony we did in ’82 would have anything in common with Brisbane ’32, except perhaps if there’s a kangaroo mascot.”

As speculation swirls about who should helm the creative vision for the ceremony, filmmaker Baz Luhrmann has em­erged as a popular contender.

While “Baz would be fine”, Mr Birch cautioned against having just one artistic director.

“I’m a great proponent of having a multi-person creative team … I like having six, seven or eight directors, each of whom is responsible for their 6-10 minutes,” Birch said.

“I like the creative energy that different directors bring.”

Brisbane 2032 should also look at ways to innovate using technology, Ms McConnie said.

She proposed incorporating futuristic elements such as drones and self-flying helicopters into the show.

“You can only imagine, in 2032, the possibilities will be endless,” she said.