Ben Kingsley Joins Sacha Baron Cohen’s The Dictator

Actor Ben Kingsley, actually that’s Sir Ben Kingsley to you, has joined Sacha Baron Cohen‘s new film The Dictator. Variety tells us that after getting along so well on the set of Scorsese’s Hugo Cabret, the two are teaming up again. The film is being described as a cross between Coming To America and Trading Places. Kingsley will play “one of two Middle Eastern characters who factor into the plot.” Ya, I know, real helpful right? Unfortunately there’s no other info on the role. Apparently though the film revolves around “a dictator who risked his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed.”

It’s nice to see Sacha Baron Cohen breaking away from his whole Borat/Bruno/Ali G gig. Sure it was funny but it was getting a bit old and redundant. I’m looking forward to seeing him both here and in Hugo Cabret. I can see him Kingsley making a good team as they’re both very entertaining people and Kingsley especially has great screen presence. One of my favorite films is Sexy Beast, a film Kingsley earned an Oscar nom for. He’s a legendary actor and adds a lot to any picture he’s in. I’m definitely looking forward to hearing more on this project.