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J.J. Abrams Screened All of 'Star Trek Into Darkness' for Dying Trekkie

by Ethan Anderton
January 3, 2013
Source: Yahoo

Last week, a story started making the rounds online about a lifelong Star Trek fan named Dan being contacted by J.J Abrams after he learned that the man had been diagnosed with two forms of cancer and his dying wish was to see Star Trek Into Darkness. The closest Dan thought he would get to the sequel was venturing out to see the 9-minute prologue before IMAX showings of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, but their screening didn't have it for some reason. Shortly thereafter, doctors gave Dan only a few weeks left to live, and going back to the theater became much harder. Well, one of Dan's friends posted about the man's dying wish on Reddit, and it didn't take long for J.J. Abrams and Bad Robot to spring into action.

Initially, when the story made its way around to Abrams, it seemed like Dan would just get a special screening of the prologue, but he got a lot more. The story and dying wish originated on Reddit (via Yahoo) has as happy an ending that can come in a situation like this as Dan and his wife were shown the entire working cut of Star Trek Into Darkness (obviously not all of the special effects are finished). That's about the most touching, bittersweet story we've heard in a long time. Here's Dan's wife response to the film with her heartfelt thanks:

"Hi everyone, it's Daniel's wife, we are of course sworn to secrecy, BUT we are officially allowed to say we saw it and we enjoyed it IMMENSELY as a film and as a gesture.

This is a story of us giving something to him, the 'internet' community giving something to him and ultimately being a heartwarming gift to our friends, family and so many others. This story of us (and of course J.J. Abrams & Bad Robot) being able to give this surprise gift of a screening to a huge movie buff like Daniel, especially a film made by a film maker who obviously makes movies with such care, with a fan like Daniel in mind."

This is just such a touching story and should give everyone hope and faith in the goodness of humanity. It also shows just how powerful the Internet can be. Who knows if this man's dying wish would have come true if it wasn't for the people of Reddit and the speed at which people share information and stories online. Our heart goes out to Dan and his wife as they deal with his terminal illness, and we're very glad that his dreams came true, even though it's during such a tragic time.

Filed under Cool Stuff, Hype

From around the web:

Thexn

A classy move by a class act. Blessings to Dan and his loved ones through this ordeal, and a relieved thanks to decent human nature and J.J. Abrams.
MadMax78

What better way to start the new years =)
assholewithaheart

I am mostly indifferent towards the movie,well sometimes I pretend in the comment section I hate it just to annoy hardcore fanboys who take things literally and too seriously ,call it childish entertainment or a sick sense of humor,it's certainly not done out of actual malice , but this is a very nice gesture and a great reminder internet is not made just for trolling .Too bad kindness does not cure cancer.
DAVIDPD

Nice guy JJ.
http://www.facebook.com/matt.peloquin.14 Matt Peloquin

This means so much more because it's JJ "Mystery Box" Abrams. A real classy act.
Manuel

It's kinda like in the film 'Fanboys'. Great guy JJ.
trek fan

The best PR moves are the ones done from the heart. This probably exponentiated the buzz around the film.
- Tester
  
  I really hope this was not an intentional PR movie but a classy move/gesture as Thexn pointed out above
  - zorg
    
    Don't want to sound cynical but it's probably a bit of both.Certainly the intent of the act is a genuine gesture of kindness towards a dying fan but they are well aware of the positive buzz it generates about the movie and I am sure it was also a factor in the motivation for doing this. This does not make them "evil" but it is what it is.Who cares,Dan got his wish and it makes the world at least seem a bit of a nicer place.
  - Thexn
    
    I'm sure if it had been a PR move alone then Paramount would have plastered it all over the national media. But if it gets a little positive spin onto the movie for Abrams et al. then why not? Just Karma coming back around.
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Chuckee-Knowlton/100003748368535 Chuckee Knowlton
  
  JJ Abrams is damned if he did and damned if he didn't because there's always going to cynical people out there like trek fan and some of the others who responded, looking for the negative no matter what. Nice gesture JJ Abrams and ignore the ignorance out there.
  - oh,no you didn't
    
    Ignorance ? So considering the option that this gesture is maybe not some idealistic act of kindness but maybe also has some motivation of gaining some "profit" out of it is ignorant because you don't like the notion that altruism is actually a very selfish thing?I'd say the opposite ,naive idealistic view of the world is ignorant because you choose to ignore harsh realities of human society such as it is in its current state and life in general.Just because people mention the possibility of Abrams doing this out of various reasons,even selfish ones ,does not make him an "evil bastard" ,it just means some of us are not living in a black and white world and are not horrified by the fact that actions of humans may have complex and even supposedly opposing motivations behind them.His gesture is appreciated and is a testament of underlining goodness of every human being and I applaud him for it but don't think his that "ignorant" not to be aware of profiting from this gesture of his.If you find this to be negative than I find you to be naive and idealistic and you have a very simple view of reality.It's not black and white,it's varying and infinite degrees of shades of grey.
    - http://www.facebook.com/people/Chuckee-Knowlton/100003748368535 Chuckee Knowlton
      
      Ok, whatever.
      - oh,no you didn't
        
        Yes,yes.You are a better human person than me.
    - http://www.roamandthink.com/ PBGray
      
      You're going to miss everything cool and die angry.
      - oh,no you didn't
        
        Oh hello Mr.I take everything Literally. My rant was about the moral high ground some people like to take towards "cynical viewpoints" because cynicism means ignorance apparently and acknowledging the darker parts of human conditions means I am an angry and bitter fuck without any joy in life. "Cool" is for children.I prefer real.If I feel anger and bitterness and it's genuine I'll take it over a phoney "life is oh so great all the time" any time.Life is great.Even the gritty parts.Especially the gritty parts.Roots grow in the dirt and darkness,the flower is not the only part of the plant.You need the whole thing. So grow up and smell the ashes.Face the music ect.ect.Don't fall for the whole "white picket fences" bullshit. Great.Another pointless "debate" in the comment section of some website.What is this? Youtube ?
      - http://www.facebook.com/people/Chuckee-Knowlton/100003748368535 Chuckee Knowlton
        
        "My rant was about the moral high ground some people like to take towards "cynical viewpoints" because cynicism means ignorance apparently and acknowledging the darker parts of human conditions means I am an angry and bitter fuck without any joy in life." No, no, you're not angry AT ALL! Let it go oh no, or you are you one of these guys who just likes to hear themselves talk and talk and talk...
Isildur_of_Numenor

Nice gesture.
Xerxexx

Lovely sad story.
http://AfterCredits.com Chris R.

Damn it's dusty in here.
- something in my eye
  
  Yeah.Also for some reason I've been chopping onion...
David Banner

Good-guy JJ
- David Banner
  
  "Beevis downvotes even this post??" -"Yeah, he does that to most of my posts. Some he can't think of a reply to and 'passes' " "Bit of a thundercunt, eh?" -"Yeah" "I mean, considering what it's about, that is really douchy" -"Yeah. Watcha gunna do, downvote all his posts? Nah man, some people have it tough. You know, I heard his mother..." "Yeah, the bricks, for his sister's....yeah, I know. Take care man"
$6296288

very nice story.
SavageHawk

thanks for being very human J.J. Abrams.
Bob

This is really impressive.thank you Mr Abrams.can't wait to see " Star Trek Into Darkness",
dandassow

This is a classy move on the part of J. J. Abrams. It reminds me of Robert Hewitt Wolfe naming a character during the first season of “Andromeda” after a young science fiction fan who died after a long illness. The fan was a master of parody who offered barbed comments on Andromeda and other science fiction shows on the USENET group rec.arts.sf.tv. Wolfe was a frequent target of the parodies. It would be great if J. J. Abrams named a minor character after this dying fan of “Star Trek Into Darkness”.
http://www.roamandthink.com/ PBGray

I'm reading some of these comments and I have to say: who gives 2 shits if there are duel motivations. Here's what I care about: a dying man got his wish and JJ made it happen. If that doesn't stir a tear in your eye then I don't know what will. God bless Dan and his wife. God bless JJ for making it happen. Long live hope.
Cody W

Funny I shared the wifes facebook post.....never actually though it would get through...fucking awesome
grimjob

Why would Abrams even need to make a PR move like this? The man is one of Hollywood's A-list filmmakers these days, and he sure as shit doesn't need any more buzz for this. This is clearly a classy move by a man who appreciates his fans. Damn there's some jaded people out there.
David Banner

Daniel Craft, the subject of the story above, passed away Friday from cancer just days after getting his chance to see an early cut of Star Trek Into Darkness.