Sacha Baron Cohen Asked Not To Attend Oscars As 'Dictator'

Though actor / comedian Sacha Baron Cohen is famous for bringing his often-controversial brand of comedy a little close to home, this year the Academy Awards is trying to rein in his creative expression.

Cohen wants to show up on the red carpet dressed as General Aladeen, the character from his new movie, The Dictator, set to hit theaters this spring. But the higher-ups at the Oscars are having none of it. "We have expressed that we don't feel it's appropriate to use our Oscar red carpet as a venue for a movie promotional stunt," a rep for the Academy told the New York Post.

On the other hand, the organization wants to make it clear that they're only banning the character — not the comedian himself, who will be in attendance to support the Martin Scorsese picture, Hugo, which is nominated for 11 awards. "He's still invited," the source assured. "We would love for him to come."

Of course there's still a chance that the mischievous actor, who has not yet officially responded to the Academy's restrictions, will refuse to play ball. If so? "We'll have to cross that bridge when we get to that," the rep said.

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