Sacha Baron Cohen as The Dictator
Paramount
Go figure: the Dictator got his way.Sacha Baron Cohen is, in fact, welcome at the Oscars on Sunday, despite earlier word that the Academy was turning him away because of his plan to attend the ceremony in character as "Dictator" Admiral General Shabazz Aladeen from his latest film.
"We absolutely respect him as an artist and he's allowed to come," Academy Awards producer Brian Grazer told Access Hollywood. "He's coming."
Added Grazer, "In fact, he's even part of the, there's a piece – he's part of the show … as himself."
Before news came out that Cohen would indeed make an appearance during Hollywood's biggest night, the actor in character as the Dictator, released a video statement expressing his "outrage at being banned" by the "Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Zionists." He threatened "unimaginable consequences" if he wasn't allowed to attend – and wished host Billy Crystal good luck.
The 84th Academy Awards will air live from Hollywood's Kodak Theatre Sunday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.