Daniel Fleetwood, a "Star Wars" fan of epic proportions, is dying of cancer and, when director J.J. Abrams heard it was unlikely he'd live to see the newest installment when it's released next month, he sent the Texas man a rough cut of the film.
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" is scheduled to hit theaters on Dec. 18, but Fleetwood, dying from spindle cell sarcoma, is unlikely to live long enough to
make the premiere, 11 Alive reported. So his wife, Ashley, appealed to social media using the hashtag #forcefordaniel to try to get her husband an advance preview of the movie.
The media campaign thrust Fleetwood into the national spotlight and finally, this week, the powers that be granted his final wish.
On Thursday, Ashley Fleetwood posted on Facebook that Abrams called and arranged for Daniel to receive and screen an unedited copy of the movie.
"To all our wonderful supporters, friends, family, and awesome strangers: Daniel's final dream was just granted!!!" she wrote. "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!"
The #forcefordaniel campaign generated thousands of tweets, many from people connected with the "Star Wars" franchise, including Mark Hamill, Kyle Newman, Peter Mayhew, and John Boyeha, according to Ashley Fleetwood's Facebook page.
Last week, the Fleetwoods didn't think their plea would be heard.
"Today marks the day Daniel was given 2 months left," his wife posted. "We are both scared, nervous, anxious, grateful that he is still with us, crying a lot (well I am. He is a rock). We are on borrowed time now. Please make a decision quickly Disney or Lucas films, even if it's a flat-out no!"
Online, the news that Daniel's wish was granted was greeted with thankfulness from many, including Hamill:
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