J. J. Abrams speaking at San Diego Comic-Con International.
J.J. Abrams, director of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” set up a private screening for a terminally ill Texas man Thursday after his wish went viral. Daniel Fleetwood, 32, who suffers from spindle cell sarcoma, didn’t think he would be able to survive until the seventh film in the “Star Wars” epic premieres in theaters on Dec. 18.
Spindle cell sarcoma is a rare form of connective tissue cancer and, in July, Fleetwood’s oncologist estimated he had two months to live.
“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,” Fleetwood told Houston’s KPRC-TV last week.
On Thursday, Fleetwood’s wife, Ashley, posted on Facebook confirmed her husband’s dying wish had been granted. She said that Abrams had personally called the couple Wednesday to set up the screening.
“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!” she wrote. “Daniel just finished watching an unedited version of Star Wars: The Force Awakens!!” Lucasfilm, which produces the Star Wars series, is owned by the Walt Disney Company.
Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in “Star Wars”, “The Empire Strikes Back” and “The Return of the Jedi,” expressed support for Abrams’ decision to allow Fleetwood to see the movie.
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
Apparently, according to Variety, this isn’t the first time Abrams has allowed ill fans see early cuts of his films. In 2013, he screened a first cut of “Star Trek: Into Darkness” for a fan who died only a few short days later.
