Anna Faris, Kristen Wiig and “Community” star Gillian Jacobs are all vying for the female lead. Wiig is doing so with awkward line readings and tiny plastic hands. However, Cohen and his producers are still looking around, so a three-way cat fight between them might be for naught. Well, you might be able to sell the DVD of the fight itself, at least.

Meanwhile, Jason Mantzoukas “The League“) is in negotiations to play the sidekick to Cohen’s lead. Apparently his ability to improvise, or “generate top-of-the-head make-’em-ups,” as theater people call it, is highly valued for this loosely scripted movie. The plot is described as “the heroic story of a dictator who risked his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed.” I’m sure Paramount is just wondering how big the merchandising potential will be, and whether or not we see a penis swinging around on-screen, up close.

Larry Charles (Borat, Bruno), an important member of the Cohen Crew, returns to direct.