Star Wars fan who saw early screening passes away

The terminally ill Texas man and "Star Wars" fan who was granted his dying wish to see the new "The Force Awakens" film before it comes out in theaters has died, just a few days after viewing the movie, the man's wife said in a Facebook post yesterday.

Daniel Fleetwood, 31, and afflicted with a form of cancer that spread to 90% of his lungs, was able to watch an early cut of the highly anticipated new "Star Wars" film, due in theaters on Dec. 18, his wife Ashley Fleetwood said on Facebook last week.

"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," she wrote on Facebook yesterday.

Fleetwood's wish to see "The Force Awakens" went viral on social media this month with the hashtag #ForceForDaniel, which garnered the support of "Star Wars" actors Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and newcomer John Boyega.

Yesterday, the hashtag was used to convey condolences.