February 23, 2012
Academy Awards threatens to ban Sacha Baron Cohen
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Movie poster for 'The Dictator,' starring Sacha Baron Cohen
Actor Sacha Baron Cohen will be banned from the Academy Awards if he arrives at the Red Carpet dressed as The Dictator, a character from his upcoming film.
Paramount’s awards staff said Baron Cohen would not receive his tickets to the Oscars unless he assures the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences ahead of time that he will not arrive in costume and not promote his movie on the Red Carpet, Deadline Hollywood reported.
Baron Cohen has a part in the Best Picture-nominated film “Hugo.” His plan was to come to the Oscars dressed as The Dictator and then change into a tuxedo and attend the awards show.
He previously was asked to be a presenter at the Oscars, but declined to do so when his request to do it in character as Borat was denied, according to Deadline Hollywood.
“The Dictator” is a spoof about the “heroic story of a Middle Eastern dictator who risks his life to ensure that democracy never comes to the country he so lovingly oppressed.” It is set to be released in May.
The Academy Awards ceremony will take place Feb. 26 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.
