"Little Darth Vader" Having Open Heart Surgery

May the Force be with him.

Max Page, the 7-year-old who played a miniature Darth Vader in Volkswagen’s popular Super Bowl commercial in 2011, will undergo open-heart surgery in Los Angeles on Wednesday to repair a congenital heart defect, according to ad agency Deutsch LA. The goal of the surgery is to repair a hole in his heart and replace his pulmonary valve.

Max appeared with his mother, Jennifer Page, on TODAY in February 2011 after the Super Bowl ad gained instant fame. In the ad, Max dresses as a mini Darth Vader and attempts to use the Force around the house to no avail before being surprised that he can start his father’s Volkswagen with the wave of a hand.

There are entries from the mother, telling the story of how Max has comforted her and accepted that he has to have the surgery.  It's heartbreaking, but less so that his future without the operation.

Here's hoping for you, kid.