Just yesterday it was reported that a number of actresses were under consideration for a leading female role in the next Sacha Baron Cohen film The Dictator, including Kristen Wiig, Gillian Jacobs and Anna Faris. Now, it looks like Hugo Cabret costar Ben Kingsley will be reteaming with Cohen in the Borat-esque flick. Variety reports that Kingsley will play one of two Middle Eastern characters in the film, with Jason Mantzoukas (The League) in talks to play the other.
Directed by Larry Charles, The Dictator 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,” with Cohen playing dual roles as the dictator and a goat herder. Filming is set to begin in May, which explains why casting seems to be heating up at the moment. Expect more announcements sooner rather than later for the comedy. The Dictator is slated for a May 11th, 2012 release.