Digital Trends
Social Media

Star Wars #ForceForDaniel fan dies days after seeing an early screening of the film

Christina Majaski
By —

force awakens fans support forcefordaniel
With the recent release of the trailer for the new Star Wars movie, The Force Awakens, so many fans are looking forward to the movie that ticket pre-sales crashed a number of movie ticket sites. One of those fans is 31-year-old Daniel Fleetwood. However, unlike other young fans, Fleetwood was diagnosed with a cancer called spindle cell sarcoma two years ago, and time isn’t on his side. His last wish — a chance to see the film — has caught the attention and support of the movie’s fans and stars alike.

Updated 11/10/2015: We are sad to report that Daniel Fleetwood has passed away on November 10. Fleetwood’s wife, Ashley, made the announcement in a Facebook post, with a photo of her with Daniel.

“Daniel put up an amazing fight to the very end. He is now one with God and with the force. He passed in his sleep and in peace. He will always be my idol and my hero,” Ashley wrote.

 

Posted by Ashley Fleetwood on Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Before Daniel’s passing, Ashley and Daniel’s supporters, including actors Mark Hamill and John Boyega, helped him get an early screening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens – his last wish – through the #ForceForDaniel social media campaign Ashley started.

Updated 11/5/2015 by Ryan: As reported by ET Online, Daniel Fleetwood has been granted his wish. Fleetwood’s wife today posted the news on her Facebook account that he was given early access to an unedited version of the film. Here’s Ashley Fleetwood’s full post below:

To all our wonderful supporters, friends, family and awesome strangers: Daniels final dream was just granted!!! Today…

Posted by Ashley Fleetwood on Thursday, November 5, 2015

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Fleetwood was informed in September that he only has a couple months to live. His wife, Ashley, has set up a GoFundMe campaign to not only raise money for medical bills but hopefully give Daniel, a Star Wars fan since the age of 8 or 9, a chance to see The Force Awakens before its Dec. 18 release. “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 said.

The hashtag #ForceForDaniel gained the attention of not just Star Wars fans, but celebrities on Twitter, including many of the movie’s cast members. Among the tweets of support were posts from Mark Hamill, John Boyega, and Peter Mayhew.

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