Early release of new Star Wars film is Disney’s ‘thank you’ to US troops stationed abroad

10,000 deployed service members were treated to an early screening of Disney’s new “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” earlier this month in what Disney is calling a ‘thank you’ to our troops. 

Service members in Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, United Arab Emirates, and undisclosed locations in Southwest Asia were able to attend free screenings of the film starting December 18th and will be able to do so until January 5th. The US release of the film was not until December 20th, reported Military Times.

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service has had a partnership with The Walt Disney Studios since 2012, bringing big movies to the troops for the holidays including the “Star Wars” movies from 2015, 2016, and 2017. 

“Bringing a blockbuster movie like ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ to deployed troops during the holidays is a big morale boost,” said Army & Air Force Exchange Service director and CEO Tom Shull.

“This is our way of thanking our troops for their service,” said Executive Vice President and General Sales Manager for North American Sales and Distribution at The Walt Disney Studios, Ken Caldwell.

10,000 Deployed Troops to See ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ for Free Thanks to Army & Air Force Exchange Service and The Walt Disney Studios https://t.co/uwjZvKrwNe #PressReleases #deployed pic.twitter.com/ufF9kp0dl6

— MilitaryHomeLife (@MilHomeLife) December 17, 2019