The show has become as much a promotional platform for the Hollywood studios as awards ceremony, this year promising sneak peeks at the latest “Twilight” installment, “Breaking Dawn"; the final Harry Potter film, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2"; and the action-packed “Super 8” presented by the films’ stars.

Reese Witherspoon will receive the annual Generation Award for her range as an actress and for delighting the MTV audience throughout her career. The Foo Fighters, Lupe Fiasco and Trey Songz are set to perform on the Sunday night show, and presenters of the popcorn-shaped MTV Movie trophies will include Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Steve Carell, Shia LaBeouf, Patrick Dempsey, Cameron Diaz, Selena Gomez and Nicki Minaj.