EMPIRE, the world’s biggest movie magazine, has unveiled further tantalising programming announcements for the upcoming AMERICAN AIRLINES PRESENTS EMPIRE LIVE, 2016’s ultimate film and entertainment weekend taking place at The O2 in London from 23 to 25 September. With plenty more headline activity still be to be revealed, fans will nonetheless be particularly excited by the news that 20 years after Renton, Sick Boy and company first crashed into cinemas, Film4’s TRAINSPOTTING will be re-cast for a unique live performance, with an exciting group of leading talent and rising stars set to take on the iconic roles in a special one-off live script- read.

Producer of T2 Andrew Macdonald commented, “We’ve just wrapped on T2 — and what a fun way to remember the original before audiences can see the sequel.”

Also confirmed for the event today is a special preview screening of MY SCIENTOLOGY MOVIE, Louis Theroux’s long-awaited spotlight on one of the world’s most secretive organisations. A decade in the making, Theroux’s documentary provides the inside track on the Church of Scientology, set up by struggling science-fiction writer L Ron Hubbard, who famously said, “If you want to get rich, you start a religion,” and then went ahead and did just that.

Audiences can also look forward to a pre-release screening of this year’s most brilliantly bizarre comedy-horror hybrid, THE GREASY STRANGLER, followed by a Q&A with debut director Jim Hosking, as he lifts the lid on the creative process that saw him conceive one of 2016’s most unforgettable characters: a homicidal father who lathers himself in fat before engaging in brutal killing sprees.

There’s something for everyone over the weekend and American Airlines presents EMPIRE LIVE is pleased to announce two new additions to the fun-filled Family Entertainment programme — a double bill of THE GRUFFALO and STICK MAN. Based on the much-loved picture books written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, both these magical animations have an all-star cast and will be guaranteed to keep both little ones and their parents entertained throughout.

Over the course of the weekend, the EMPIRE team will be setting up camp in the heart of Brooklyn Bowl. THE EMPIRE HUB will see the magazine come to life with a series of panels and on-stage interviews, in addition to live recreations of popular in-magazine segments My Movie Mastermind and How Much Is A Pint Of Milk?. The Hub will play host to a just-announced Women In Film symposium and will welcome award-winning screenwriters to the stage to discuss their craft. Fans will also have the chance to pit their wits against Associate Editor Chris Hewitt in his infamously tricky film quizzes; tune in to a live special recording of the Empire Film Podcast; take part in family workshops; and enjoy evenings filled with music, drinks, themed parties and — for all you Big Lebowski enthusiasts — a spot of bowling.

Fans can look forward to plenty more big announcements in the run-up to September, as organisers up the ante over the coming weeks. The events and screenings revealed today join a promising programme of event screenings that already include: THE RAID (featuring a live commentary from director Gareth Evans), EVERYBODY WANTS SOME!!, THE MARTIAN EXTENDED EDITION, WAR ON EVERYONE, STAND BY ME, LABYRINTH, and a trio of hits from the vaults of THE CRITERION COLLECTION in the form of EASY RIDER, DR. STRANGELOVE and DON’T LOOK BACK. With special previews, blockbusters, classics, and never-before-seen footage, there’s something for everybody as American Airlines presents EMPIRE LIVE brings you face-to-face with the biggest movies and those who make them.

For full details of all cinema events announced thus far and to buy ticket packages, please visit: www.empirelive.com. But hurry — the Empire Live Diamond Package and Opening Night Packages are now sold out and other packages are selling fast!