The Dictator

[MacGuffin]

Trailer here.

Release date: May 11, 2012

Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Anna Farris, John C. Reilly, Ben Kingsley

Directed by: Larry Charles

Premise: The heroic story of a dictator who risks his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed.

[Pedro]

This looks very, very bad. 

[Jeremy Blackman]

They just put the worst parts in the trailer, right?

[Ravi]

I'm willing to give this a chance, despite the trailer. Is Ben Kingsley playing Hamid Karzai?

[theyarelegion]

I'm willing to give this a chance, despite the trailer.

...but why?

[Pubrick]

Is Ben Kingsley playing Hamid Karzai?

if he is, called it.

[Ravi]

I'm willing to give this a chance, despite the trailer.

...but why?

Because of Sacha Baron Cohen.

[Jeremy Blackman]

This does look too much like Ali G Indahouse.

Has anyone else seen that abomination?

[Ravi]

Is Ben Kingsley playing Hamid Karzai?

if he is, called it.

[MacGuffin]

Academy: Sacha Baron Cohen Not 'Banned' From Oscars But 'Dictator' Stunt Unwelcome
Source: THR

The mystery of Sacha Baron Cohen's plans for the Oscars has deepened, with the Academy going on the record to deny an online report that the comic actor has had his tickets for Hollywood's biggest event yanked.

"We haven't banned him," an Academy spokesperson tells The Hollywood Reporter. "We're just waiting to hear what he's going to do."

Still, the Academy is making it clear that Cohen is not welcome to use the red carpet as a platform for a promotional stunt for his upcoming movie The Dictator, and other sources say the threat of booting him became more substantial on Wednesday.

THR first reported Tuesday that the actor, invited to attend the Oscars as a castmember of best picture nominee Hugo, was hatching a plan to arrive at the event dressed as his Dictator character, a crass totalitarian leader hellbent on keeping democracy out of his country.

THR's story prompted the Academy to notify Cohen's reps and Paramount, the studio behind both Hugo and Dictator, that it would like to know exactly what Cohen has planned. "We don't think it's appropriate," the Academy spokesman tells THR of the prospect of Cohen "hijacking" the red carpet to plug his movie. "But his tickets haven't been pulled. We're waiting to hear back."

A Paramount spokesperson did not immediately return a call seeking comment. Cohen's publicist has not returned an email seeking comment.

Cohen has a history of using awards shows and other big events to hype his movies. To help launch Borat in 2006, Cohen arrived at the Toronto International Film Festival dressed up as his TV journalist alter ego, riding a wagon pulled by "Kazakhstani peasant women." At the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, he came as gay fashionista Bruno (to promote Bruno).

The Academy is careful to exclude studio-specific film promotion from its annual Oscars telecast (it only recently allowed movie ads to run during commercial breaks), so Cohen's plans are being taken very seriously.

[MacGuffin]

Sacha Baron Cohen's 'The Dictator' Posts Video Message on Oscars Controversy
Source: THR

Sacha Baron Cohen, responding to the Academy's unwillingness to let him appear on the Oscars red carpet at his character from the upcoming comedy The Dictator, has posted a video message online.

"While I applaud the Academy for taking away my right to free speech, I warn you that if you do not lift your sanctions, and give me my tickets back by 12pm Sunday, you will face unimaginable consequences!"

As THR has reported, Cohen wasn't banned, and an Academy source says Cohen's tickets to the show were delivered this week as planned. But the Academy has made it clear that he is not welcome to turn the red carpet into a promotional stunt for his movie.

"On top of all this," the character General Aladeen says, "I paid Hilary Swank $2 million to be my date, and she will not refund a penny."

[72teeth]

(: i hope this is less " The Love Guru" and more... "King Ralph"? no... i dunno, i hope its funny

[MacGuffin]

Sacha Baron Cohen Punks Ryan Seacrest: 'The Dictator' Spills "Kim Jong Il's Ashes" All Over Red Carpet Host! (Ryan Unamused)
BY THE DEADLINE TEAM

Sacha Baron Cohen just strolled onto the Red Carpet wearing The Dictator's full military white uniform in character as General Alladeen from the Middle East Republic of Wadiya. Flanked by two gorgeous women in military mini-skirts, Baron Cohen appears to be holding a funereal urn. (Maybe containing the ashes of the Academy's integrity?) Ryan Seacrest of E! played along and addressed Baron Cohen as "Dictator" to which sacha responded, "Hello. Death to the West!"

Seacrest asked whom he is wearing. "I'm wearing John Galliano but the socks are from KMart.

Saddam Hussein once said to me, 'Socks are socks. Don't waste money." And, yes, that is a funereal urn which Sacha said contained his "dear friend" North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il. "It was his dream to come to the Oscars and to be sprinkled over the Red Carpet and over Halle Berry's chest again." (Too bad: Berry pulled out as an Oscars presenter today because of an injury that has her on crutches.)

With that, Baron Cohen opened the urn and ten spilled the ashes all over Seacrest's Burberry tuxedo and shoes!

Immediately, security men (real or play-acting) pushed Baron Cohen away from Seacrest who didn't looked amused. "It's OK. Now if somebody asks you who you are wearing, you can say Kim Jung Il!"

Said the stunned Seacrest, who looked a mess, "I had a feeling he was up to something in some fashion or form. We'll be right back..."

The Academy previously wouldn't let the studios promote their upcoming movies. But Paramount is releasing The Dictator in May, and its paid marketing consultant is Tom Sherak — the Academy President. The Academy of Motion Picture "Arts & Zionists" — Baron Cohen's description, not mine — tried to ban Baron Cohen and then relented in what many feel was a publicity stunt set-up. Sacha's character in the film risks his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed. During this week's runup, Baron Cohen's shtick included touching the third rail of Jews and Hollywood. But Sacha's Red Carpet punking of the Viscount Of Vapidity was priceless. Later, Seacrest said, "I figured he was either going to do that to me or George Clooney."

[Sleepless]

Screen grab of Seacrest covered in fake ash please.

At least SBC has got it out of his system. He has got it out of his system, right?

[Jeremy Blackman]