At the White House, R2-D2 and two Stormtroopers surprised reporters with a quick appearance in the briefing room after U.S. President Barack Obama finished his end of the year news conference. First lady Michelle Obama hosted a private screening for children of families that lost members to war.
The new "Star Wars" film is the seventh installment in the series created by George Lucas in 1977. Disney bought "Star Wars" producer Lucasfilm for $4 billion in 2012 and spent more than $200 million to produce "Force Awakens."
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