Dying 'Star Wars' fan got to see 'The Rise of Skywalker' early thanks to Bob Iger

A patient at Rowans Hospice in Hampshire, England, got to see The Rise of Skywalker before its release on the 20th December after the hospice asked Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger for an early screening on Twitter. 

In a tweet, Rowans Hospice explained that the patient might not make it to the release date, and wanted to watch the final episode of the new Star Wars trilogy with his son. 

"We have a patient who's a HUGE Star Wars fan," the hospice wrote. "Sadly, time is not on his side for the 20th Dec. His wish is to see the final Star Wars film #RiseOfSkywalker with his young son. If you know ANYBODY who might be able to make it happen, please share with them. Thank you."

A doctor who saw the tweet tagged Bob Iger in the conversation, who quickly set about arranging a special Thanksgiving screening for the man and his son.

"On this Thanksgiving, we at @Disney are grateful to be able to share #TheRiseOfSkywalker with a patient and his family @RowansHospice," Iger wrote. "May the force be with you and with us all!" 

The patient thanked Iger and Disney in a press release made by the hospital, with the man explaining: 

"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!"

The hospice also took to Twitter to thank Disney and share photos of the event. 

"This morning, a very nice man named Jonathan from Disney turned up at our Hospice with a laptop that had a very important movie on it," the hospice wrote on Twitter. "Our amazing patient has now seen #StarWars #RiseofSkywalker with his son."

The patient's wife also thanked Disney, explaining what the gesture had meant to their family in such a difficult time:

"We are truly humbled by everyone's support. 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."