Batman Superfan Was Able To See ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ Before Passing Away

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice hits theaters this Friday, but one Batman superfan was given a special screening of the film more than a month ago by director Zack Snyder.

Back on January 31, the “Batman4bazz” campaign was started on Facebook by Gwen Henderson-Gates in an attempt to somehow get her brother Barry, known affectionately as “Bazz” and described as a “massive Batman fan,” to an early viewing of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

In October 2014, Bazz was given less than a year to live. He had been diagnosed earlier in the year with esophageal cancer and was thought to be improving after undergoing surgery to remove the tumor and numerous rounds of chemotherapy and radio therapy. Unfortunately for the Batman enthusiast, the cancer spread to his lymph nodes, and the doctors told him that he only had 11 months. However, knowing that Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was on the way kept Bazz going. The 11 months (and then some) passed, and that’s when Gwen sprung to action.

Perhaps inspired by the story of Daniel Fleetwood, the Star Wars fan who was shown an unedited version of Star Wars: The Force Awakens before passing due to his own bout with cancer, Gwen began the “Batman4bazz” campaign with the hope that her brother would perhaps have that same chance with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. It began with one simple Facebook post.

Please like and share the page!! this is for My brother who is a massive batman fan I want him the see the new film batman v superman early. Bazz is fighting cancer and is really poorly.
Any help would be appreciated to get the Directer cast and crew to notice this!! Lets gets him to see the film early..thanks Gweny

https://www.facebook.com/batman4bazz/posts/977250669012241

Within a week, the “Batman4bazz” page had more than 500 likes, and word began to spread via shares and tweets, but on February 21, Gwen posted the tragic news that Bazz had passed away.

#?batman4bazz?
Thanks to everyone for all the support for our darling Barry.
He fought a very brave and courageous fight like any true superhero to this horrible cruel and evil disease what is cancer.
He will be missed dearly by all his family and friends.
You have no idea what this meant to him And it made him fight even harder.
?#?myhero? xxxx

https://www.facebook.com/batman4bazz/photos/a.977315959005712.1073741828.977246309012677/989063001164341/?type=3&theater

At that time, it really wasn’t clear whether or not Bazz had lived his dream of seeing Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which probably wasn’t the biggest thing on Gwen’s mind. However, just this week, she posted that her Batman-loving brother had indeed had his wish fulfilled.

Its been 4 weeks since you went to sleep.
We miss and think about you every day…I couldn’t fix you but I could help make a wish come true.
Bazz got his wish to see the film before he passed away.
My personal thanks to Mr Zack Snyder and everybody at Warners Bros that made it happen..you know who you are!!!!
Thanks also to the staff at the RVI Medi Cinema Newcastle..you were wonderful.
Everybody who helped spread the word and support Bazz I cant thank you enough for helping make my brothers dream come true
Thanks Gweny
?#?batman4bazz? ?#?myhero? ?#?whowillwin? ?#?batmanvsuperman?

https://www.facebook.com/batman4bazz/photos/a.977315959005712.1073741828.977246309012677/1007379859332655/?type=3&theater

It’s truly sad that Bazz is gone, but truly amazing that something as simple as seeing Batman fight Superman on the big screen kept his own fight going longer than expected. It’s wonderful that Zack Snyder and the folks at Warner Bros. made this happen, and it’s great to see a sister go to the lengths she did to make something like this happen for her brother.

[Image via Warner Bros.]