ROGUE One: A Star Wars Story looks set to dominate the Empire Awards after picking up nine nominations, the most for any film.

The nods for the standalone Star Wars film include recognition for its leading star Felicity Jones in the best actress category, and Riz Ahmed in the category for best male newcomer.

Rogue One, the most successful film at the UK box office in 2016 despite its December release, is also up for best film, best director for Gareth Edwards, best sci-fi/fantasy, best costume design, best make-up and hairstyling, best visual effects and best production design.

The second most-nominated film at Empire magazine’s annual awards, based on public votes, is another sci-fi offering, Arrival – with seven nods in total.

Oscars favourite La La Land and superhero comedy Deadpool follow with five nominations each, along with Marvel’s Doctor Strange and New Zealand action-comedy film Hunt For The Wilderpeople.

Arrival’s Amy Adams will compete with Jones in the best actress category along with Oscar nominees Natalie Portman (Jackie), Ruth Negga (Loving) and Emma Stone (La La Land).

In the best actor category, Deadpool’s Ryan Reynolds will have to fend off competition from Eddie Redmayne (Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them) and Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange), as well as Oscar-nominated Casey Affleck (Manchester By The Sea) and Ryan Gosling (La La Land).