Sacha Baron Cohen to play Saddam Hussein

Sacha Baron Cohen will be playing the role of Saddam Hussein in his new film ‘The Dictator’, which releases at cinemas in May 2012.

The funny man who has made hits with outrageous roles in ‘Ali G In Da House’, ‘Borat’ and ‘Bruno’ will be starring as the controversial public figure in the film. It is said to be inspired by a book the former Iraqi leader himself wrote, titled ‘Zabibah and The King’.

This is the third collaboration between Sacha and director Larry Charles. It will be written by Jeff Schaffer, Alec Berg and David Mandel, who have previously worked on comedies ‘Seinfeld’ and ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’.

Paramount Pictures said, “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.”