THE new Ali G film is facing a cinema boycott as a major UK chain “have no plans” to show the sequel.
The movie mockumentary revives Sacha Baron Cohen‘s famous character after the original movie was unveiled 24 years ago.
The brand new film, Ali G: Who Iz I?, sees Sacha play the character once more in a ‘real-life’ setting.
But in a surprise move, Picturehouse Cinemas, which has 25 cinemas across the UK, will not show the upcoming film after its release in October.
Media watchdog NewsCord demanded cinemas to refuse to screen the film due to “satire using a cover for enforcing racist stereotypes”.
The platform claimed Baron Cohen had “enforced harmful stereotypes across marginalised communities through his characters”.
So far they have sent around 27, 000 emails from supporters to cinemas nationwide to stress their concerns.
In a statement, Picturehouse confirmed to Metro: “We currently do not have any plans to screen this film on its release.”
NewsCord also claimed that the film’s studio Amazon MGM had “revived a racist caricature”.
Joining Ali G in the flick will be his girlfriend, Julie, played by actress and impressionist, Morgana Robinson.
She filmed the role alongside Sacha in secret over the course of a year and replaces EastEnders star Kellie Bright in the part.
In the movie, she will be revealed to be eight months pregnant – something that the characters struggle to get their head around.
In one of the clips from the film’s preview, they can be seen at a doctor’s office with Ali G begging the doctor to simply say that Julie is “bloated” and not actually pregnant – despite her visible baby bump.
He later puts her positive pregnancy test in his mouth and pretends to use it as a vape.
Elsewhere, the trailer sees Ali G poking fun at Ed Sheeran as he remarks on what the world has ‘survived’ since the original movie’s release in 2002 and insisted things had “turned to c**p”.
Speaking in the trailer, he said: “I’ve been gone for 20 years, chilling.
“And in that time, the world went to c**p.
“There’s been Wars. Covid. And Ed Sheeran.”
He continued: “I’m going to get back on top with a brand new thing called a ‘documentary.’
“For the first time ever, this is with real people not actors. For more than a year we let the cameras follow me everywhere.
“Nothing was off limits.”
The film is expected to be released in cinemas on October 23 with the movie being distributed by Amazon MGM.
The character was first introduced by Sacha on Channel 4‘s The 11 O’Clock Show in 1998 before the character became even more widely known for the 2000 sketch comedy series, Da Ali G Show.