Tradecraft: Paramount Buys Sacha Baron Cohen Spy Spoof

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount has bought a pitch for a spy spoof from Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen and Cedar Rapids writer Phil Johnston. The trade quotes the studio on a plot description, reporting that the untitled comedy project features "a James Bond-like spy who 'is forced to go on the run with his long-lost brother, a moronic soccer hooligan.'" While he's involved behind the scenes, it's unclear at this point whether or not Baron Cohen would take a role (or roles; I could easily see him playing both brothers, Peter Sellers-style) in the film; that depends on the in-demand star's availability.