Daniel Fleetwood, the Star Wars superfan whose dying wish to see the new film The Force Awakens was granted last week, has died. He was 32.
Fleetwood had been given two months to live when he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer last July. As his health deteriorated and it looked increasingly unlikely that he would hold on to see the new film, set for worldwide release on December 18th, he took to social media in an effort to convince Disney to screen the film for him.
On Twitter, the hashtag #ForceForDaniel was trending, and actors, including Star Wars cast members Mark Hamill, John Boyega, Carrie Fisher, and Daisy Ridley, joined the growing legions of people around the world supporting Fleetwood.
Lucasfilm, Disney, and director JJ Abrams were quickly convinced, with the director calling Fleetwood last week to deliver the good news that an uncut version of the film would be shown later that day at his home in Texas.
“Daniel put up an amazing fight to the very end,” wrote Fleetwood’s wife, Ashley, on her Facebook page. “He is now one with God and with the force."
Ashley and Daniel Fleetwood a few days before he passed away [Facebook]
“He passed in his sleep and in peace. He will always be my idol and my hero. Please hug uncle Marc for me and give Lucy lots of kisses. Rest in peace my love.”
On the day of the screening, Ashley expressed her and Daniel’s gratitude to everyone who had helped make his dying wish become a reality: "To all our wonderful supporters, friends, family and awesome strangers: Daniel's final dream was just granted!!!
"Today the wonderful Disney and Lucasfilms made his final dream come true, in the amazing typical Disney way, they really do make dreams come true!"
