Disney Grants Dying Fan's Wish to See 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Early
The Force was indeed strong with Daniel Fleetwood, the dying "Star Wars" fan whose campaign to see "The Force Awakens" before he passed away went viral this week. Yesterday, Fleetwood finally got his wish.
Fleetwood's wife, Ashley, revealed in a Facebook post that reps from Disney and Lucasfilm visited their Houston home on Thursday and allowed the couple to screen an unedited version of "The Force Awakens." Fleetwood is currently receiving hospice care for spindle cell sarcoma, a rare form of connective tissue cancer, and was worried that he would not live long enough to see the film's December release.
In an effort to let the lifelong "Star Wars" fan view the film before he passed away, friends and family started the #ForceForDaniel campaign, urging director J.J. Abrams and other Disney execs to arrange for an advance screening for Fleetwood. The hashtag went viral, and grabbed the attention of "Force Awakens" stars Mark Hamill, John Boyega, and Peter Mayhew, among others (Hamill also tweeted his well wishes after Daniel's request was granted).
On Facebook, Ashley Fleetwood said that Abrams called the couple personally to tell them that Daniel's final wish would indeed be coming true. "[I]n the amazing typical Disney way, they really do make dreams come true!" Ashley wrote.
Check out Ashley's entire post below. And may the Force be with you, Daniel -- always.
To all our wonderful supporters, friends, family and awesome strangers: Daniels final dream was just granted!!! Today...
Posted by Ashley Fleetwood on Thursday, November 5, 2015
[via: Ashley Fleetwood]
Photo credit: Twitter