Depp, Richards join Spike TV’s celebration of sci-fi, horror, comics, fantasy at ‘Scream 2009′

Depp, Richards light up Spike TV’s ‘Scream 2009′

LOS ANGELES — A larger-than-life snowglobe filled with murderous little girls, a “Battlestar Gallactica” spaceship and comic-book legend Stan Lee flying overhead on a bouquet of giant balloons — just a few signs that Spike TV’s “Scream 2009″ is different from other awards shows.

The star-studded event, held Saturday at the Greek Theatre, honors the best in sci-fi, horror, fantasy and comic-inspired movies and TV shows.

Fans voted online for the winners, so some of the year’s most popular programs and big box-office hits took home trophies, including “Transformers,” ”Twilight,” ”True Blood” and “Star Trek.” Stars of those properties and other surprise guests appeared throughout the 3½-hour ceremony.

And then there was Keith Richards. Fans welcomed the Rolling Stones guitarist with a standing ovation as Johnny Depp presented him with the Rock Immortal award.

“I liked the living legend, that was all right, but immortal is even better,” Richards said in an interview before accepting the honor.

Quentin Tarantino continued the celebration of the immortal as he paid tribute to “Night of the Living Dead” director George A. Romero with the Scream Mastermind award.

Tobey Maguire presented the Comic-Con Icon award to Lee, who waved and smiled from his spider-shaped balloon platform on his way to the stage. He thanked Spike TV “for creating the Scream awards and for telling the world how cool comic books are.”

Jessica Alba, Kate Bosworth, Harrison Ford, Justin Long and Christina Ricci helped present the spike-shaped trophies. Morgan Freeman presented the Ultimate Scream award (essentially best in show) to “Star Trek” — and William Shatner shocked fans when he stepped on stage to accept the trophy.

“J.J., I’ll handle this,” Shatner said to J.J. Abrams, seated in the audience, who also won best director and best sci-fi movie for “Star Trek.”

“This movie was big,” Shatner said. “Imagine how big it could have been with me in it? … I’ll be waiting for your call.”

HBO’s “True Blood” was a four-time winner, taking honors for best TV show, along with best villain for Alexander Skarsgard and best horror actor and actress for co-stars and real-life couple Steven Moyer and Anna Paquin.

“Twilight” also collected four awards: Best fantasy film, best fantasy actors for stars Rob Pattinson and Kristen Stewart (who weren’t in attendance Saturday) and breakout performance for co-star Taylor Lautner, who introduced world-premiere footage from the film’s next installment, “New Moon.”

“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” won three prizes. The film was honored for its special effects, while star Megan Fox was voted best sci-fi actress and Isabel Lucas was recognized for her breakout performance as an evil shape-shifting robot.

Since the ceremony wasn’t televised live, stars were free to use four-letter words — and Tarantino, Woody Harrelson and “True Blood” creator Alan Ball did. “Scream 2009″ will be edited into a two-hour special set to air on Oct. 27.

Hundreds of fans dressed as vampires, zombies, mummies and monsters filled the seats inside the amphitheater. “Scream” is their show, said executive producer Casey Patterson.

“It’s fun because of the fans. You couldn’t point to a group more passionate, more invested, or more deserving,” she said, noting that sci-fi, horror and fantasy films are often overlooked at other awards shows. “These fans have waited a long time to see their heroes honored.”

On the Net:

www.spike.com/event/scream2009

AP Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen is on Twitter: Follow her at twitter.com/APSandy.