The physical incarnation of Sacha Baron Cohen's latest comic creation has been revealed.

The man who brought Ali G, Borat and Bruno to the screen has swapped his mankini for a full beard and military uniform for the title role in the film The Dictator.

First look ... The first official photo from Sacha Baron Cohen's new film The Dictator. Credit:Courtesy Paramount Pictures

Little has been released about the film's plot and characters although it is said to be about a dictator fighting to stop democracy from coming to his country.

According to Paramount Pictures it was inspired by the novel Zabibah and The King which some believe was penned by Saddam Hussein.