Sacha Baron Cohen's The Dictator responds to Oscars 2012 controversy

The Dictator is the latest character-based comedy from Sacha Baron Cohen, and he's been causing a bit of controversy with regards to Oscars 2012.

There has been speculation that Sacha Baron Cohen has been banned from this Sunday’s Oscar ceremony, due to fears among academy members that he will use the opportunity to promote the film.

Cohen has previous form with award ceremonies, having turned up to the 2006 Toronto film festival in character as Borat, complete with a carriage pulled by “a Khazakstani peasant woman.” No similar plans have been disclosed for the Oscars, but it sounds as though the Academy are anxious that history not repeat itself.

“We haven't banned him," an Academy spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter . "We're just waiting to hear what he's going to do.” But General Aladeen has released a statement himself this very afternoon:

And to celebrate the release of the film, a pair of new portrait posters have been debuted, showing fictional despot General Aladeen looking happy and relaxed.

The first shows him on the golf course, brandishing a bunch of solid gold clubs and staring manfully into the middle distance. The second shows him enjoying a victory on the tennis court, having just “disposed” of his opponent.