Ben Ali, Mubarak and Gaddafi should all welcome Sacha Baron Cohen‘s latest unorthodox alter ego in his forthcoming film, aptly named The Dictator.
Currently filming his next installment, Baron Cohen has revealed his character to be a long bearded, military uniformed dictator, who goes to all lengths to prevent democracy and protect the country he oppresses.
Details are under wraps, but according to Paramount Pictures the film was inspired by the anonymously authored romance novel Zabibah and The King, written in 2000. The book is meant to be read as an allegory for the US invasion of Iraq and the CIA allegedly believe it was authored by ghostwriters who were directly influenced by Saddam Hussein.
The novel follows the love story between a powerful ruler of medieval Iraq and a beautiful commoner girl named Zabibah – who is married to a cruel and unloving husband. Baron Cohen will play the dictator and the role of the goat herder that ousts him, leading to his journey to America.
The film will also star actors Ben Kingsley (Sexy Beast, Shutter Island) and Anna Faris (House Bunny, Scary Movie), with Larry Charles as director (who also responsible for Bruno and Borat). The Dictator is slated for release in May 2012.
