Dying Star Wars Fan Gets Wish Of Early Force Awakens Screening

J.J. Abrams called the terminally ill fan to share the good news.

Disney and Lucasfilms fulfilled the dying wish of a terminally ill Star Wars fan who was afraid he would not live to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens in theaters when it opens on December 18.

Daniel Fleetwood of Spring, Texas, is a 32-year-old man with a rare connective tissue cancer that his doctors believe is in its final stage. His wife Ashley posted on Facebook his wish to find a way to seeThe Force Awakens before time ran out. His dying wish quickly became a viral social media campaign, with Star Wars actors Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and John Boyega sharing their support for the fan.

The #ForceForDaniel social media campaign also got the attention of Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams. The director called Fleetwood this week to let him know he’d be able to watch the film in his own home. On Thursday, Ashley Fleetwood posted a grateful message on Facebook after Daniel had screened an unedited version of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. 

“I want to thank ALL the amazing people who helped make this happen, thank you beyond words,” she wrote. “May the force be with you all.”