Sacha Baron Cohen Oscars Ban?
Reports have denied that the comic actor Sacha Baron Cohen has been banned from this year's Oscar Awards.
"We haven't banned him," said an Academy spokesperson, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "We're just waiting to hear what he's going to do."
Cohen's upcoming film, "The Dictator," has stirred controversy with his poignant jokes on modern culture. He portrays a crass totalitarian leader that is staunchly against democracy.
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His antics have iced him out of Sunday's 84th Academy Awards because organizers are concerned he will stir up trouble.
Cohen is well known for pulling pranks to promote his films, and has been rumored to be planning on arriving to the red carpet Sunday as his character in "The Dictator" before changing into a tuxedo and attending the Oscars as normal.
The "Borat" and "Bruno" star has also appeared in Martin Scorcese's award-winning "Hugo" portraying Station Inspector Gustave. The film is nominated for 11 awards this Sunday.
Previous reports indicated that the Academy pulled Cohen's ticket, demanding the actor promise he will not pull any stunts, according to Deadline.
Despite the Academy denying the allegations, rumors are still rife that the allegations are true.
"Unless they're assured that nothing entertaining is going to happen on the red carpet, the Academy is not admitting Sacha Baron Cohen to the show," said Deadline.
In 2006 Cohen arrived to the Toronto International Film Festival dressed up as his television journalist character and riding a wagon pulled by "Kazakhstani peasant women," and in 2009 the actor arrived to the MTV Music Video Awards as a gay Fashionista named Bruno, to promote his movie "Bruno."
During the awards, movie promotion is taking very seriously. The Academy only recently began running ads for upcoming films during commercial breaks. In light of this, Cohen's potential plans are being carefully examined.
Cohen's "The Dictator" hits theaters May 11.
