Sacha Baron Cohen signs exclusive first-look deal with Paramount Pictures

"The Dictator" Star Simultaneously Commits To Make His Next Original Film for the Studio as Part of an Overall 3-Year Deal with His Four By Two Films Banner

HOLLYWOOD, CA (February 29, 2012) – Paramount Pictures, a division of Viacom, Inc., announced today it has signed Sacha Baron Cohen and his Four By Two Films banner to an exclusive 3-year first-look deal. Four By Two Films will be headed by Sir Todd Schulman (THE DICTATOR, BRUNO).

As the star and studio prepare to release the comedian's latest film THE DICTATOR in the US on May 11th, they simultaneously have agreed to partner again on Baron Cohen's next original film in which he stars.

As part of the arrangement, Paramount has also created a development fund for Baron Cohen to generate projects in the United Kingdom to find new talent.

"Sacha is a comic genius. A wildly talented writer, actor and filmmaker. Beyond that, he is the rare global comedy star. On behalf of all of us at Paramount, we welcome Sacha and look forward to “The Dictator” and many more great pictures for years to come," said Brad Grey, Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures.

The heroic story of a dictator who risks his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed, THE DICTATOR is opening in the U.S. on May 11, 2012 from Paramount Pictures. Starring Sacha Baron Cohen, Sir Ben Kingsley, and Anna Farris, the film is directed by Larry Charles and produced by Baron Cohen, Alec Berg, Jeff Schaffer, David Mandel and Scott Rudin. The film's executive producers are long time collaborators Anthony Hines, Dan Mazer and Peter Baynham [ALI G SHOW, BORAT, BRUNO].