Disney CEO Bob Iger has offered praise to Star Wars fan Riley Howell, who died protecting his classmates.
The late college student and hero recently received a tribute in the annals of Star Wars canon by being the namesake of Jedi Master Ri-Lee Howell, a historian who wrote one of the sacred Jedi texts that Rey is seen reading from in both Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. He was killed in a mass shooting at UNCC, having been shot multiple times while tackling the gunman, stopping the shooter; he was the last victim of the massacre.
Disney CEO Bob Iger has noted that he is proud of the actions that Riley Howell took, and that his actions represents what Star Wars is about at its core: heroics in the face of insurmountable odds and tragedy. Read Bob Iger’s tribute to the Star Wars fan below:
@starwars has always been about celebrating herois. Riley Howell gave his life to save others & was a true life hero. "Riley's courage and selflessness brings out the Jedi in all of us," said fan relations team member Lucas Seastrom. “We hope that you may rejoice in his memory.” https://t.co/RVUmFJ4fgv
— Robert Iger (@RobertIger) December 29, 2019
Riley Howell was 21 years old when he passed away, but his actions ensured that several lives were saved. Bob Iger and Lucasfilm have made the right call in immortalizing him in Star Wars lore, and especially in a capacity that actually carries significance within the context of the films themselves. The Force will be with him – always.
Directed by J. J. Abrams, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker stars Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, Billie Lourd, Naomi Ackie, Richard E. Grant, Keri Russell, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Ian McDiarmid, and Billy Dee Williams. Carrie Fisher also appears as General Leia Organa through the use of previously unreleased footage shot for previous Star Wars films.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is now playing in theaters.
Source: Twitter
