Yahoo Movies Jason Momoa surprises young fan battling cancer with 'Aquaman' trident: 'Danny was speechless'
By Erin Donnelly
An Aquaman superfan who is battling cancer got an early birthday present from the film’s star, Jason Momoa.
According to an Instagram post shared by the actor, he arranged for young fan Danny Sheehan to receive a set of action figures and a life-sized trident — just like the one his character wields — along with a touching note that reads, “Can’t wait to ride on some dolphins with you, Danny! Love, Uncle Aquaman.”
In Momoa’s post, Danny, who will turn 8 in a few days, can be seen proudly clutching his new toys.
“Danny was speechless — which for one so talkative, was a true testament to how surprised he was,” mum Natalie Sheehan tells Yahoo Entertainment of her son’s response to the gifts from Momoa.
“My reaction was one of sheer delight, surprise and gratitude,” she added. “Danny had a rough week this week, so it was great to see him so lively and excited.”
Read more: Jason Momoa was 'in debt and starving' after making Game of Thrones
Sheehan explained that Danny has just completed three weeks of daily radiation; according to a GoFundMe page set up on his family’s behalf, he was diagnosed with pineoblastoma, a rare and aggressive brain tumour, in 2017.
The 7-year-old was undergoing his treatment when he first connected with Momoa last month after the action hero caught wind of a now-viral video which shows Danny shouting in excitement about his love for Aquaman.
Momoa responded by surprising Danny with a FaceTime call he also shared on social media.
Sheehan tells Yahoo that, having tried all other available treatment options, her family is now waiting for news related to compassionate usage of a drug being trialed. In a Facebook post, she shared how Momoa and the “Aquaman squeal heard round the world” played a part in that even becoming a possibility, as a stranger who saw the posts was the one who connected the family to a doctor working on the drug trial.
Meanwhile, Danny can add a couple of other comic book characters to his fanbase: Both Josh Brolin (Avengers villain Thano ) and Dave Bautista (Drax the Destroyer in Guardians of the Galaxy) shared positive comments to Momoa’s post.
