Despot in Mourning: Kim Jong Il Eulogized by Sacha Baron Cohen's Dictator

Comedian's new character pays shocking, er, mocking tribute to the late autocrat

By Josh Grossberg Dec 19, 2011 10:15 PMTags
Sacha Baron Cohen, The DictatorParamountPictures

While most everybody else is saying good riddance to Kim Jong Ill, North Korea's longtime tyrant has at least one fellow dictator in tears.

Never one to let a great publicity opp go untapped, Sacha Baron Cohen has released a statement in the guise of his latest alter ego, the titular role in his forthcoming The Dictator, mourning the loss of North Korea's "dear leader," who died Saturday.

"I am saddened to learn of the passing of my dear Kim Jong-Il," says Baron Cohen His Excellency Admiral General Aladeen—Supreme Leader, All Triumphant General and Chief Opthamalogist of People's Republic of Wadiya.

"K-Jo was a great leader, good friend and average double's badminton partner. He died as he lived, in 3-inch lifts. An extraordinary man, he did so much to spread compassion, wisdom and uranium throughout the world.

"On behalf of myself, Ahmadinejad, Chavez and Newt Gingrich, we would like to welcome his son, Kim Jong Un, into the Axis of Evil."

While The Dictator isn't scheduled to hit theaters until next May, a hilarious trailer popped up last week, showcasing the star as the bearded maniacal leader of a fictional Third World nation who comes to America and gets a not so healthy dose of democracy.