Baron Cohen to Stand “Trial,” But This Time Not for Borat Shenanigans

Posted by Josh Radde (josh@filmschoolrejects.com) on January 3, 2008

Sacha Baron Cohen, seen most recently in Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd as Johnny Depp’s rival Fleet Street barber Signor Pirelli, has been cast as Chicago Seven patriarch Abbie Hoffman is Steven Spielberg’s upcoming The Trial of the Chicago Seven.

People know Cohen mainly for his comedic roles, such as Ali G, Borat, and Talladega Nights nemesis Jean Girard. He even has another self-created character, Bruno, who has a movie coming out later this year. Chicago Seven is being billed as a dramatic historical period piece and we’ll finally get to see how Cohen can handle himself as a dramatic lead.

Those who have seen how dedicated this thespian is to his work need not worry. His portrayal of Borat in the 2006 film of the same name generated Oscar buzz for the actor who also won a Golden Globe in the comedy category for Best Actor. His comedic instincts will translate well to playing Hoffman, who used large, elaborate pranks to disrupt “the system” and upset “the Man”. Something tells me that Cohen will be fine as an uber-hippy and Steven Spielberg knows how to generate fantastic performances out of unexpected places, like Ralph Fiennes’ chilling Nazi in Schindler’s List or Oprah Winfrey in The Color Purple. Cohen will likely co-star with a large ensemble of well-known actors as well, so the dramatic burden of the project will not rest solely upon his shoulders.

The Trial of the Chicago Seven is expected to begin filming shortly after Speilberg completes Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

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