Sacha Baron Cohen to Star in Tarantino's Play — SkimNews
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- Sacha Baron Cohen is reportedly cast as the title character in Quentin Tarantino's first play, "The Popinjay Cavalier," which is billed as a "rambunctious comedy of deception and disguise" set in 1830s Europe.
- Tarantino will also direct the play, presented by Sonia Friedman Productions and Sony Pictures Entertainment, with a planned opening in early 2027 at a West End theatre yet to be confirmed; the project was announced in March.
- Tarantino, who now lives in Tel Aviv, has said he will move to England with his family to work on the play for between 18 and 24 months.
- Producer Sonia Friedman told the Sunday Times in July that Tarantino is "very theatre literate" and unusually focused on giving audiences "the best freaking night out in the theatre they've had all year."
- Baron Cohen has not previously held a leading role in a major stage production, though he trained with French clown guru Philippe Gaulier, whom he credited with steering him toward comedy.
- Publicists for Baron Cohen and The Popinjay Cavalier did not confirm the casting when contacted, and the story originated with Deadline.
- Baron Cohen previously withdrew from a small role in Tarantino's 2012 "Django Unchained" in order to star in Tom Hooper's film version of "Les Misérables."
Why it matters: The casting would mark Baron Cohen's first leading role in a major stage production and Tarantino's theatrical debut after a film career built on screen work. Tarantino's commitment to relocate from Tel Aviv to England for 18 to 24 months signals a serious long-term pivot rather than a vanity project. With publicists declining to confirm and an early 2027 opening still 18 months away, the deal remains unratified ahead of Baron Cohen's "Ali G: Who Iz I?" film release next month.
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