Sacha Baron Cohen to Play Saddam Hussein in 'The Dictator'

By Rebecca Macatee Posted Jan 20th 2011 07:15PM

Sacha Baren Cohen, the funny man and character actor behind 'Borat' and 'Bruno,' is gearing up to play his most political role to date. The actor will play the role of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein in an upcoming film titled 'The Dictator.'

Cohen is set to star in a comedy inspired by a book thought to be written by Hussein titled 'Zabibah and the King,' BBC reports. The book was a best-seller in Iraq back in 2000.

Paramount Pictures joked that the film would "tell the heroic story of a dictator who risked his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed." Writers Alec Berg, Jeff Schaffer and David Mandel, who all work for 'Curb Your Enthusiasm,' have signed on to write the script.

'The Dictator' is scheduled to be released in theaters May 11, 2012. It will be directed by Larry Charles, who has worked with Cohen on both 'Bruno' and 'Borat.'

Cohen will also play the role of Freddie Mercury in a 'Queen' biopic. He married actress Isla Fisher in March 2010. Fisher converted to Judaism so that she and Cohen could raise their child, born in summer of 2010, in the Jewish faith.

Cohen has also been the center of several lawsuits for his over-the-top characters' real-life interactions.

Tags: sacha baron cohen

Comments

(19)

Thursday 20 January

By stu

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can't wait for his freddy mercury(Queen) role.

By Pixie

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I can see him as Freddy Mercury, but not Saddam. Of course, the whole thing sounds like a goof.

By Gunsmoke

He Might even be Related To Sad'am Insane.

By themeeker

I don't see why not. He's a great character actor.

By Ed

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Guy sucks even more than Prince

By Dawi

Sounds very similar to the Charlie Chaplin film "The Great Dictator". Wonder if the book is reminiscent of that film?
I could see Cohen portraying Freddie Mercury. He'd probably do really well. Don't think he could sing like him...who could?

By red frizzy hair all over in the mirror.

Don't mix your grains and berries.

Friday 21 January

By countnomis

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Sacha Cohen is one filthy Jew.

By Vince

Because he doesn't bathe, or because he doesn't believe that Christ was the messiah?

Count, I honestly didn't think there was anyone left in this country who would say something that stupid out loud. Do us all a favor and drop dead.

By Marc

What is filthy is your egregious ignorance and bigotry.

I'm waiting.

By dot

I liked Borat but thought Bruno was so over the top that I didn't even think it was funny. I was very disappointed in Bruno, especially on the heels of Borat. Oh well! Let's hope Dictator doesn't focus on shoving things up his azz the whole time.

By Prudence Kuhn

I saw five minutes of Borat and left. I was so torqued that I didn't even ask for my money back. I will never waste another dime on anything this guy does. I know that ugly's in and humor has just degenerated into "gross out," but I don't have to take part. Yuk!

By thundrroz

I find it satisfyingly ironic that a Jew play Saddam.

By freedkalashnikov

Will he run over Gypsy??

By brian

borat was hilarious. bruno not so much. hope he'll redeem himself with this film :D

By Walter

Why even recognnize the existence of Saddam Hussein by making a film about him. We should ignore that the murderer ever lived.

By smr4765

While we're at it, should we forget Hitler existed as well? Just because something is considered unsavory, doesn't mean it's not an important part of history.

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