MTV Movie Awards 2012: The Hunger Games beats Twilight with four gongs

The big winner of this year MTV Movie Awards was the breakout hit The Hunger Games that swept the ceremony, taking home four gongs.

The film’s star Jennifer Lawrence won the prestigious Best Female Performance award – but unfortunately the 22-year-old wasn’t in Los Angeles to collect her trophy.

However, Jennifer Lawrence accepted her award via a pre-recorded video as she is currently filming in Prague, after her win was announced by Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth, the brother of her Hunger Games co-star Liam.

She said: “Thank you, MTV and all the fans, for this award. I want to thank Suzanne Collins for creating such an iconic, powerful character in Katniss Everdeen.

“It’s been such an honour to portray her and have audiences around the world embrace this movie.”

Looking at her golden popcorn trophy, Jennifer Lawrence humorously added: “I can’t eat this.”

Her co-star Josh Hutcherson also scooped a coveted award in the form of Best Male Performance, which was presented to him by Emma Watson and her Perks of Being a Wallflower co-stars Logan Lerman and Ezra Miller.

Josh Hutcherson said: “I’ve wanted to hold a Golden Popcorn since I was like four years old. This is incredible.

“It’s insane too, because every single one of those actors I admire and I want to be, so to even be up here is blowing my mind right now.”

He added to his many admirers: “You guys are the best fans in the world. You’re crazy and passionate and you make our job amazing.”

And Elizabeth Banks, who plays outlandish Effie Trinket in the movie, won Best On-screen Transformation.

Elizabeth Banks was presented the award by Magic Mike stars Matthew McConaughey, Channing Tatum and Joe Managaniello, who was dressed in a saucy fireman’s outfit.

The actress was carried out by the hunks after telling the audience: “I just want to thank MTV for this moment right here. This is just the best moment of my life.”

Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson also scooped Best Fight, alongside Alexander Ludwig. Josh and Alexander took to the stage to collect the award from Charlize Theron and Michael Fassbender.

But before they announced the winner, the duo indulged in a play fight which saw Charlize Theron pretend to knee Michael Fassbender in the face.

While The Hunger Games was the clear winner, the missed out on the Best Movie award, which went to Twilight for the fourth year running.

Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner accepted the accolade.

And Kristen Stewart also received the award for Best Kiss for the fourth year in a row, alongside her on and off-screen beau Robert Pattinson, who wasn’t in attendance at the bash.

So Kristen Stewart was a good sport and turned around to pretend she was smooching up a storm when she collected her trophy alone from That’s My Boy stars Leighton Meester, Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg.

Harry Potter won two awards – one for Best Hero and one for Best Cast, the latter of which was accepted on behalf of everyone by Emma Watson.

The first award of the evening went to Jennifer Aniston, who scooped the Best On-screen Dirtbag title for Horrible Bosses.

The actress looked stunning in leather and was clearly tickled by the accolade as she said in her acceptance speech: “I mean, do you know how long I have tried to unleash my on-screen dirtbag?”

She added: “I would like to say thank you to the television show Friends for letting me unleash my inner sweetheart and [Horrible Bosses director] Seth Gordon for letting me channel my inner dirtbag.”

The Breakthrough Performance gong went to Shailene Woodley for her role in The Descendants and the 20-year-old was overwhelmed by her win.

After Shailene Woodley hugged happy couple Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield who handed her the trophy, she told the crowd: “Dude, this is nuts. I’m so nervous right now.”

Johnny Depp took part in a special performance alongside The Black Keys, after which he was presented with the special Generation Award by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith.

The Hollywood heavyweight was clearly touched by the accolade as he mouthed the word, “Wow”, but he quickly turned to humor and said: “This is like the <<get out of the business>> award.”

Emma Stone also won a special title – the True Trailblazer Award. After a hilarious video clip was aired which saw stars including Mila Kunis, Jim Carrey and Anna Faris talk about the star, she grew tearful while delivering her acceptance speech, stating she is “a cryer”.

Bridesmaids won two awards, for Best Gut-Wrenching Performance and Best Comedic Performance by Melissa McCarthy, although their wins were not televised.

And an excited LMFAO took home the prize for Best Music.

The audience saw Christian Bale grow emotional when seeing Heath Ledger as The Joker as part of a preview clip for The Dark Knight Rises, and Wiz Khalifa performed during the show.

Russell Brand hosted the event and used the opportunity to say he was on the hunt for his “next wife” after splitting from Katy Perry, also making fun of old pal Michael Fassbender.