The movie - starring Aaron Johnson as a comic-book fan turned self-made superhero - leads the way with nominations for Best Film, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Newcomer, Best Sci-Fi / Fantasy and Best British Film in the awards voted for by the public. Oscar favourite `The King`s Speech` starring Colin Firth as stuttering King George VI has received five nods with Christopher Nolan`s `Inception` up for four and `The Social Network` and `127 Hours` getting three each. The magazine`s editor Mark Dinning said: "The past year has produced a truly incredible spread of movies and, as ever, the Empire readers have done us proud in their choices for this year`s shortlist. "Unlike other awards ceremonies, the Empire Academy - the tens of thousands of enthusiastic and smart voters who have contributed to this unique and savvy list - have once again rewarded the right movies, resulting in a diverse selection that reflects what cinemagoers have really taken to their hearts this past 12 months." Aaron will compete with `Inception` star Leonardo DiCaprio, James Franco for `127 Hours`, Colin Firth for `The King`s Speech` and Jesse Eisenberg for `The Social Network` in the Best Actor stakes while the Best Actress race will be contested by `Black Swan`s Natalie Portman, Noomi Rapace in `The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo`, `Harry Potter` star Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter in `The King`s Speech` and Olivia Williams in `The Ghost`. There will also be awards for Empire Inspiration and Empire Icon at the event hosted by Irish comedian Dara O` Briain at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, on Sunday March 27. He said: "It`s a great privilege to be presenting these awards for the third time and to be in the same room as so many enormously-talented filmmakers, to whom I can pass my script about an Irish comedian who solves murders."