Mark Hamill and John Boyega Support Campaign to Let Terminally Ill Star Wars Fan See The Force Awakens Early

Actors show support for Daniel Fleetwood, who doesn't believe he'll live until the December 18, 2015 release date

By Zach Johnson Nov 03, 2015 2:42 PMTags
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Mark Hamill and John Boyega have retweeted the hashtag #ForceForDaniel to show their support for Daniel Fleetwood, a 32-year-old Star Wars fan and terminally ill cancer patient. The actors play Luke Skywalker and Finn, respectively.

Daniel has asked Walt Disney Studios for permission to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens before its theatrical release on Dec. 18. The Spring, Texas, resident is suffering from spindle cell sarcoma, and in July, he was given two months to live. "I just love Star Wars. With everything I've got, I love Star Wars," he told local NBC affiliate KPRC, adding, "Judging by how progressive the disease has gotten in the past two months, I really don't think that I'll be able to make it."

The 32-year-old is now in hospice care at home, and his wife, Ashley Fleetwood, admires his fortitude. "It's a commitment and he still has that commitment, that drive and that love, and I think that it's a beautiful thing," she told KPRC. "Even if it's just a movie, that's magic for a lot of people." Ashley has also set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for medical bills. The website features pictures of Daniel in Star Wars clothing, including a Yoda hat and Darth Vader hoodie.

Peter Mayhew, who plays Chewbacca, has also retweeted his support for Daniel.

Neither Walt Disney Studios nor J.J. have publicly responded to Daniel's request.

J.J. Abrams, director of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, granted New York-based film fanatic Daniel Craft a similar dying wish in 2013; he had a terminal cancer and wanted to see Star Trek Into Darkness before it was released. J.J. obliged, and Daniel died just days after seeing the film.

The filmmaker has already promised to screen Star Wars: The Force Awakens early for at least one person. In a recent Q&A video for Vanity Fair, J. J. teased his friend, record producer Jimmy Iovine, by telling him, "Yes Jimmy, I'll show you the movie before it comes out. Five minutes before it comes out."

Watch: J.J. Abrams Spills on Latest "Star Wars" Trailer

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