Caption Sacha Baron Cohen as Admiral General Shabazz Aladeen in ‘The Dictator’Comedic mastermind Sacha Baron Cohen has been invited to attend Sunday’s Academy Awards (for his role in Best Picture nominee “Hugo”), but after the comedian revealed he planned to attend the glitzy ceremony as his latest character, “Dictator” Admiral General Shabazz Aladeen, the Academy was a bit wary.However, Access Hollywood correspondent Tim Vincent caught up with Don Mischer and Brian Grazer (who are producing this year’s Oscars) as they prepared for Sunday’s show and the pair said not only is the comedian is absolutely welcome – he will actually take the stage at some point.“We absolutely respect him as an artist and he’s allowed to come,” Grazer said. “He’s coming. In fact, he’s even part of the, there’s a piece — he’s part of the show… as himself.”Meanwhile, Baron Cohen issued a video statement as Aladeen saying expressing his “outrage at being banned” by the “Academy Of Motion Picture Arts & Zionists,” and warned of “unimaginable consequences” if he was not allowed to attend – a statement he clarified to the “Today” show’s Ann Curry on Friday.“Good morning, I’ve been very busy today – I actually delayed 30 executions to do this,” General Admiral Aladeen (Baron Cohen) told Curry during a phone interview on Friday. “Those jokesters at the Academy have banned me, and normally I would be impressed by an act of cowardice by a faceless regime, but this is personal. You know, I have issued them an ultimatum. They have until midday on Sunday to give me my tickets back.“If they do not, they will see and face unforeseen and unimaginable consequences. By the way—how is your family?” Baron Cohen continued, as Curry laughed.As for his upcoming movie, “The Dictator,” Baron Cohen’s Aladeen said it is “the story of a great and benevolent leader who fights to stop democracy from ruining the lives of his people,” adding that he won the abundant medals adorning his military clothing by performing “great acts of bravery” and “impregnating over 13,000 women.”“The Dictator,” which also features Megan Fox, Anna Faris, Ben Kingsley and former “MADtv” star Bobby Lee, hits theaters on May 11.Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
