Sacha Baron Cohen is causing controversy by announcing his intention to attend the awards ceremony as a character from his upcoming movie, The Dictator.
Cohen, who is nominated at this year's event for his work in Hugo, has been told he will not be allowed to attend the ceremony if he shows up as Admiral General Alladeen, the man he's brought to life in The Dictator.
The Academy is reportedly worried Cohen will "hijack" the event to promote his own movie, and while they haven't revoked his invitation yet, they're waiting to hear what he will do before making a decision.
"We haven't banned him, we're just waiting to hear what he's going to do," an Academy spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter.
Cohen responded to the controversy earlier today, "Admiral General Aladeen will deliver a formal response tomorrow morning to being banned from the Oscars by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Zionists."
The Dictator tells the story of a dictator who risks his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed. In addition to Cohen, the film stars Megan Fox, Anna Farris, Ben Kingsley and B.J. Novak.
Watch the trailer for The Dictator here.
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