Official: 1977 ‘Star Wars’ Actor Returning in Iconic Role for Brand-New Disney+ Project

Disney has some big plans for Star Wars in 2027, but one of its latest announcements might be among the most unexpected.

With the franchise approaching its 50th anniversary, Lucasfilm is preparing new movies, television projects, and special events. Now, a familiar performer who has been part of Star Wars since the beginning is officially returning for another appearance.

However, fans won’t find his latest project in a traditional movie or television series. Instead, Disney is bringing one of its most recognizable characters into an entirely different kind of entertainment.

And the project will mark a major first for Star Wars.

Disney Confirms Return of Original Star Wars Actor

Anthony Daniels is officially returning as C-3PO, continuing a relationship with Star Wars that stretches back to 1977.

Daniels originally brought the golden protocol droid to life in Star Wars: A New Hope (1977), sharing the screen with R2-D2 and becoming an important part of George Lucas’ original adventure.

Nearly five decades later, Daniels remains one of the franchise’s most recognizable performers.

The actor has appeared in every theatrically released Star Wars movie, including The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026), where he received credit for a different droid character.

Now, Lucasfilm has confirmed another appearance from Daniels, although this time, C-3PO is heading somewhere completely unexpected.

Disney, ESPN, Lucasfilm, and the NFL are teaming up for Star Wars Funday Football, an animated alternative presentation of Super Bowl LXI.

Rather than watching the championship through a traditional football broadcast, viewers will see the action unfold in an animated Star Wars setting.

Daniels has already recorded new dialogue for the special event.

Disney Reunites Two Original Star Wars Characters for a New Adventure

Disney introduced the unusual crossover through a promotional teaser featuring two familiar Star Wars characters.

The footage recreates a scene inspired by Star Wars: A New Hope (1977), with C-3PO and R2-D2 arriving on a desert planet aboard an escape pod.

As the droids explore their surroundings, their conversation takes an unexpected turn.

R2-D2 communicates through his familiar beeps, prompting C-3PO to realize they’re apparently traveling to the Super Bowl.

The protocol droid responds enthusiastically, declaring that he’s ready for football.

Daniels provides C-3PO’s familiar voice, connecting the upcoming presentation to the original Star Wars films.

However, the teaser is only the beginning of Disney’s plans for the championship.

Disney Announces First-of-Its-Kind Star Wars Project for 2027

Star Wars Funday Football will become the first animated alternative Super Bowl broadcast in ESPN’s Funday Football series.

ESPN launched the concept in October 2023 with Toy Story Funday Football, transforming the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars matchup into an animated experience inspired by Pixar’s franchise.

That presentation eventually earned three Sports Emmy Awards.

The company continued experimenting with the format in December 2024, introducing The Simpsons Funday Football during the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys game.

Another installment, Monsters Funday Football, followed in December 2025, featuring the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Chargers.

Now, ESPN is bringing the concept to the NFL’s biggest annual event.

Super Bowl LXI takes place February 14, 2027, and Disney’s animated presentation will air alongside the traditional broadcast.

Families can watch through Disney+, the ESPN App, Disney Channel, and Disney XD.

But C-3PO isn’t the only Star Wars character joining Disney’s football celebration.

Darth Vader Returns

Disney has confirmed that Darth Vader will participate in additional football programming.

Beginning October 26, an animated version of the villain will interview NFL players through SC+, ESPN’s SportsCenter program available on Disney+.

However, one question remains unanswered: Who will voice Darth Vader?

Disney hasn’t identified the performer behind the character.

James Earl Jones, who famously voiced Vader, died in 2024. Before his death, arrangements were made to recreate his voice through artificial intelligence for future Star Wars appearances.

Similar technology previously brought Vader into Fortnite, though Disney hasn’t confirmed whether it will use the same approach for these football segments.

For now, Vader’s participation is official, but his voice remains a mystery.

More Major Star Wars Releases Are Coming in 2027

The football crossover arrives as Disney prepares to celebrate Star Wars’ 50th anniversary in 2027.

Lucasfilm has several projects planned, including Season 2 of Ahsoka, which will continue Rosario Dawson’s story on Disney+.

Meanwhile, Star Wars: Starfighter (2027), starring Ryan Gosling and directed by Shawn Levy, will arrive in theaters May 28.

The original Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) will also return to theaters February 19.

With these releases approaching, Disney is finding several ways to celebrate the franchise’s history.

And for Anthony Daniels, the upcoming Super Bowl presentation adds another unexpected chapter to his decades-long journey as C-3PO.