A terminally ill Star Wars fanatic, whose dying wish was to see an advance copy of the new Star Wars movie, The Force Awakens, has had his dream come true.
Daniel Fleetwood, 31, from Texas, who has been given months to live after a cancer diagnosis, was granted his wish by Disney after his friends and family mounted an online campaign, #ForceForDavid, to allow him to see the new movie early.
His wife, Ashley Fleetwood, took to Facebook on Thursday, Nov. 5, to reveal that the studio had allowed her husband to watch an early cut of the much anticipated movie, which isn’t due to hit theaters until Dec. 18.
“Daniel just finished watching an unfinished version of Star Wars: The Force Awakens!!!” a delighted Ashley wrote. “We would like to thank the awesomely talented [director] JJ Abrams for calling us yesterday to tell us Daniel was getting his wish granted!”
Before Daniel’s wish came true, his viral online campaign garnered the support of Star Wars actors Mark Hamill (who plays Luke Skywalker) and Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), as well as movie newcomer John Boyega.
On hearing the news that Daniel’s wish had come true, Hamill responded via Twitter, saying he was “elated” for the family, and thanking the “powers-that-be” for making it happen.
I just read this and am elated for Daniel & his family! Thanks to the powers-that-be for making his dream come true. https://t.co/ImiAdyBxf8
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) November 5, 2015
