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Cohen up to satirical tricks again in "Dictator" NEW YORK (Reuters) - As the Arab Spring resulted in the deaths of thousands and the ousting of Middle Eastern leaders last year, comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, disguised by a fake beard and accent, was filming his latest movie portraying a hated North African dictator. Was it sheer Hollywood happenstance, calculated irony or comic genius? His co-stars, including Sir Ben Kingsley think the latter, and audiences can decide for themselves on Wednesday when "The Dictator," debuts in U.S. theaters. Cohen plays fictional General Aladeen, the dictator of a made-up North African country, Wadiya. ... A Minute With: Lopez, Banks on expectations when 'Expecting' LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Jennifer Lopez and Elizabeth Banks - stars of this Friday's baby comedy movie "What to Expect When You're Expecting" are two Hollywood moms who could not be more different. Lopez is a newly divorced, singer and actress with twin toddlers, Max and Emme, whose busy schedule includes being a judge on TV's "American Idol" and releasing top 40 pop singles. Banks, on the other hand, has had steady career on TV and in films such as recent blockbuster "The Hunger Games." Fourteen months ago, she and her husband Max Handelman welcomed their first child, Felix. ... Pierce Brosnan's production company signs deal for thrillers NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - Pierce Brosnan's production company Irish Dreamtime has partnered with The Solution Entertainment Group for a multi-picture financing and distribution deal announced on Tuesday. "November Man," starring Brosnan and Dominic Cooper, will be the first film as part of the deal. Roger Donaldson will direct the action thriller, adapted from the espionage novel "There Are No Spies" by Michael Finch. ... Warner Bros. passes $1 billion at international box office NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - Warner Bros. surpassed $1 billion at the overseas box office in less than five months, setting a new studio record and marking the 12th straight year it has hit that number. The biggest contributor was "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows," which drew $257 million of its $357 million overseas haul in 2012. "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" and "Wrath of the Titans" also passed the $200 million mark this year. ... Regret but no surprise Cannes lacks women directors CANNES, France (Reuters) - The absence of female directors from the 22-strong competition in Cannes this year is a "great pity", but reflects a global problem rather than sexism specific to the world's biggest film festival, jury member Andrea Arnold said on Wednesday. The British film maker, who has won acclaim in Cannes for "Red Road" and "Fish Tank", is one of nine jurors who will decide which movie wins the coveted Palme d'Or for best picture at the end of this year's festival. ...