So, here's a funny story: it looks like Sacha Baron Cohen, who would've been attending the Oscars as a cast member of Hugo, has been asked not to attend by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, according to Deadline. The brouhaha started circulating earlier this morning, as word spread of Cohen's request to attend the red carpet premiere as his character from The Dictator; word was that he would pose for photos outside, then change to a tuxedo for the actual show.
The Academy, of course, likes to not have people use its show to promote upcoming films that almost definitely won't be garnering any kind of Academy Award nominations next year, and said no. They obviously can't control who he shows up as, and without some kind of guarantee that there wouldn't be some kind of nasty fight over his entrance to the show on the day it happens, they've apparently decided to pull his tickets and ask that he not attend at all.
Honestly, I would have no problem believing that SBC would play the situation up for a laugh and arrive on an elephant or something, even if that meant he'd never be invited back for the ceremonies ever again. I'm betting the Academy members believe the same thing, and are hedging their bets by asking him to stay at home this Sunday. Not much more information is available at the moment, but we'll update when anyone involved has official word on it.
