Baron Cohen to play Hussein in ‘Dictator’
As if his portrayals of Borat and Bruno weren’t outrageous enough, Sacha Baron Cohen’s next role will be Saddam Hussein.
The British comic will star in and co-write “The Dictator,” which is scheduled for release in May 2012, according to Paramount Pictures.
Said the studio in a news release: “The film tells the heroic story of a dictator who risked his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed.”
It’s inspired by a book the former Iraqi leader himself wrote, titled “Zabibah and The King.”
Larry Charles, who directed Baron Cohen in “Bruno” and “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan,” will direct once again.
Hathaway gets catty
Anne Hathaway has clawed her way into the latest Batman movie, nabbing the role of Selina Kyle and her alter ego, Catwoman.
Hathaway will appear opposite Christian Bale, who’s returning as Bruce Wayne and Batman in Christopher Nolan’s latest film in the superhero saga, “The Dark Knight Rises,” Warner Bros. announced.
Tom Hardy, whom Nolan directed in last year’s “Inception,” will play one of Batman’s enemies, Bane.
“The Dark Knight Rises” is slated for release on July 20, 2012.
Prime Minister Streep
Meryl Streep has visited London’s House of Commons before her next role as Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady.”
The Oscar-winning actress turned up Wednesday at a visitors gallery to watch the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions, where David Cameron takes questions from lawmakers.
A few lawmakers wrote on Twitter to announce that they had spotted the actress.
Jim Broadbent will play Thatcher’s husband, Denis.
GLAAD nominees announced
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation announced nominees Thursday for its 22nd annual Media Awards.
Film nominees include the lesbian family drama “The Kids Are All Right,” the musical “Burlesque,” high-school romp “Easy A,” crime thriller “The Girl Who Played With Fire” and the video-game-inspired “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.”
TV drama series nominated are ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Brothers & Sisters,” HBO’s “True Blood,” ABC Family’s “Pretty Little Liars” and TeenNick’s “Degrassi.”
Comedy series nominees are Showtime’s “Nurse Jackie” and “United States of Tara,” Fox’s “Glee,” ABC’s “Modern Family” and ABC Family’s “Greek.”
Individual episodes of “30 Rock,” “Drop Dead Diva,” “Bored to Death” and “Law & Order” were also nominated.