Update: The Academy is now saying that they have not “banned” Cohen yet, per se. Rather, they are waiting to determine his intentions about promoting The Dictator at the awards.

Deadline reported that the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has pulled actor Sacha Baron Cohen‘s tickets from the 84th Academy Awards. Due to his plans to attend the ceremony, or at least the red carpet, in character as Admiral General Aladeen from his movie The Dictator, the Academy has decided to bump him entirely.

Cohen was invited to attend the Oscars due to his performance as Inspector Gustav in the Best Picture contender Hugo, a Paramount movie. Paramount told Deadline, “Unless they’re assured that nothing entertaining is going to happen on the Red Carpet, the Academy is not admitting Sacha Baron Cohen to the show.”

At this rate, however, with all the press that the mere proposal of the stunt is bringing, Cohen does not even have to do a stunt on the red carpet. In fact, his showing up in a traditional tuxedo and not causing a scene would be as big a news item as if he went rogue and defied the Academy.

The folks on Twitter had this to say about that:

LOL! Sasha Baron Cohen has been banned from the Oscars unless he promises not to dress as a dictator. #partypoopers.

— Cato Bekker (@CatoBekker) February 23, 2012

This Sasha Baron Cohen being banned from the Oscars is atotal PR skit… can’t people see that?!!

— William Jason Wallis (@wallisphoto) February 23, 2012

While it’s vaguely newsworthy that Sasha Baron Cohen may be banned from the Oscars, who was going to watch the Oscars anyway?

— Holy Taco (@holytaco) February 23, 2012

Sasha Baron Cohen should just show up at the Oscars disguised as Billy Crystal.

— Kevin R. Free (@kevinrfree) February 23, 2012

Sasha Baron Cohen mag Oscar-uitreiking defintief niet bijwonen. Cohen wil als personage uit nieuwe film The Dictator komen (soort Khadaff)

— ron holman (@ronholman) February 23, 2012

They wont let Sasha baron Cohen into the oscars in costume, I guess lady gagas not invited then?

— stav davidson (@stavb105) February 23, 2012

Hello Wadiyan People. Today is one year Anniversary of Gaddafi crushing Libyan revolt. He will be in power for many years to come.

— General Aladeen (@RepublicWadiya) February 22, 2012