The force is strong with Rowans Hospice and its patient, whose dying wish was to watch the new Star Wars film ahead of its December 20 release date.
The patient is a huge Star Wars fan whose final wish was to be able to see the last Star Wars movie together with his son. The patient did not think he would make it to the films official release date in December, so Disney agreed to let him watch the film with his family on Friday morning.
Located in Hampshire, England, Rowans Hospice took to Twitter, pleading to Disney for their patient “who’s a HUGE #StarWars fan” to see the new film, as “sadly, time is not on his side for the 20th Dec.” release.
Met with strong support and love across social media, including Mark Hamil himself liking the post and wishing the hospice center “good luck” with its request, Rowans Hospice was shocked to hear back from Bob Iger, Disney’s Chairman and CEO, who tweeted back on Thursday that the company would allow the patient a preview.
In a statement from Rowans Hospice, Lisa Davies, the health care support worker who passed the patient’s wish on to other staff members, said she was “utterly speechless.”
“We want to let everyone know that Disney has created a truly magical moment for our patient and his family today by allowing them to watch ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ before the official release date.”
And of course, its patient was grateful:
“I just want to say the biggest thank you to everyone that has helped to make this happen. During what is just a horrible situation to be in, you have helped to make some wonderful memories and bring some joy to my family. I am a huge Star Wars fan and what I am going through is completely dire. Then to top it all, I thought I wasn’t going to see the film I have been waiting to see since 1977! I still can’t believe it. The only way I can describe this to you is to say that this must be what it feels like to be told you have won a million pounds!”
“We are truly humbled by everyone’s support,” the patient’s wife said in an official statement. “What has happened over the past few days has been truly mind-blowing. From a simple conversation, to witnessing the out pouring of generosity has been amazing. The massive Star Wars community has been incredible. The amazing people who have visited, along with the messages and gifts we have received have provided us with an opportunity to talk to our son more about the reality of his Dad’s condition.”
The film, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” is due to be released on December 20 in the U.S., which will conclude the nine-part Skywalker saga.
