Actor Anthony Daniels, center, poses with members of “Star Wars” costuming fan clubs Rebel Legion Endor Base and Golden Gate Garrison in front of the Castro Theatre on closing night of the 69th San Francisco International Film Festival on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Pamela Gentile/SFFilm
There were Star Wars Day events all over the Bay Area and around the world, but only one featured the sole actor to appear in all 11 movies of the beloved franchise.
Anthony Daniels, C-3PO himself, made Monday, May 4, the greatest May the Fourth in San Francisco history as the star attraction at a sold-out screening of “Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back” at the Castro Theatre to close the 69th San Francisco International Film Festival.
May the Fourth, of course, is the fan-created Star Wars Day, celebrated on this date because it plays on the franchise’s most recognizable catch-phrase, “May the Force be with you.”
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The 80-year-old shared personal reflections and behind-the-scenes insight into playing the polite but often befuddled gold-colored robot during a 45-minute conversation with longtime friend Howard Roffman, a former Lucasfilm executive and SFFilm board vice president. He also took audience questions.
Actor Anthony Daniels, right, demonstrates the movements of his popular “Star Wars” character C-3PO during an onstage discussion with Howard Roffman, a former Lucasfilm executive and SFFilm board vice president, at the Castro Theatre on closing night of the 69th San Francisco International Film Festival on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Tommy Lau/SFFilm
Daniels even fact-checked a politician in real time during an intimate pre-show reception at Castro District eatery Starbelly, where two city supervisors, Rafael Mandelman and Bilal Mahmood, declared it Star Wars Day in the City and County of San Francisco.
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“This is personal for me. My first memory growing up is of ‘Star Wars,’” Mahmood told the crowd. “I’ve seen those movies probably over a dozen times, if not more, and I know them by heart, every single line.”
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To which Daniels good-naturedly shot back, “OK, what’s the first line of the first movie?”
After Mahmood struggled to come up with the line — and after a few wrong guesses from attendees — Daniels happily acted out the scene in perfect C-3PO voice: “Did you hear that? They shut down the main reactor. We’ll be destroyed for sure. This is madness!”
“Two tickets for ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ please.” Cosplayers approach the ticket booth of the Castro Theatre on closing night of the 69th San Francisco International Film Festival on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Tommy Lau/SFFilm
Daniels, who grew up in Salisbury, a small English town near Stonehenge, first visited San Francisco in the late 1970s after the first movie, now called “Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope,” became a monster hit. He and wife Christine, who accompanied him on this trip, have visited often and jumped at the chance to support SFFilm for the May the Fourth event.
“I really want to see a comeback to what it used to be … because as a tourist, as a visitor, I care,” Daniels told the Chronicle, referring to San Francisco’s lingering “doom loop” narrative. “Already, I see signs it’s happening. … and I know so many of the residents care, and I believe the new mayor (Daniel Lurie) is caring. But still there’s a lot of work. Coming up Market (Street) I was rather shocked. So please San Francisco, do it right.”
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On his way into the theater, Daniels stopped to pose with a motley crew of cosplayers representing local costume fan clubs Rebel Legion Endor Base and Golden Gate Garrison. Among the bunch were Princess Leia, Darth Vader, Chewbacca and a couple of stormtroopers. Of course, dozens of fans whipped out their phones and began taking pictures.
Actor Anthony Daniels, center, poses with members of “Star Wars” costuming fan clubs Rebel Legion Endor Base and Golden Gate Garrison in front of the Castro Theatre on closing night of the 69th San Francisco International Film Festival on Monday, May 4, 2026.
G. Allen Johnson/S.F. Chronicle
Onstage, SFFilm Executive Director Anne Lai remembered when, as “Star Wars”-obsessed children growing up in Ohio, she and her sister were told by their parents they could choose only one action figure apiece at the toy store. As young girls, the obvious move would have been can-do heroine Princess Leia. But the Lai sisters picked C-3PO and R2D2 instead.
“It kind of looked like us, because she was taller than me, and I was like an R2-D2 size,” Lai said. “But also because it was a pair that was so memorable.”
In fact, one could argue the two robots are the heart of the movies. Throughout the film series, they keep characters such as Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford) safe as they try and topple the evil Empire.
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For Daniels, however, he feels “Star Wars” fans are the heart of the franchise. Without them, there would have only been one film.
Actor Anthony Daniels, with microphone, talks with Howard Roffman, a former Lucasfilm executive and SFFilm board vice president, onstage at the Castro Theatre on closing night of the 69th San Francisco International Film Festival on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Pamela Gentile/SFFilm
“I think (C-3PO’s) loyalty and his caring is a great exemplar for humankind,” Daniels told the Castro crowd. “3PO became a friend for many people, people who were a little nervous of society, people whose circumstances were not great.
“I love C-3PO, and I’m hugely grateful and now understanding of what the audience gives to me, so thank you.”
Daniels wouldn’t reveal if he is in the 12th “Star Wars” theatrical film, “The Mandalorian & Grogu,” which hits theaters May 22, as Disney has sworn him to secrecy. But it wouldn’t be a stretch. As he enters his ninth decade, the actor still goes to the gym to maintain a body that will fit into that constricting metal costume, and he is a prolific gardener.
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The actor told the Chronicle he and Christine will return to their house in Southern France (they also have a flat in London) “picking up weeds.”
“It’s a great down time after the craziness of filmmaking, premieres and things like tonight,” Daniels said. “But tonight feels very personal because I have a great fondness for San Francisco.”