Sasha Baron Cohen's "Bruno" set for 2009

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "Bruno," Sacha Baron Cohen's follow-up to "Borat," has been scheduled by Universal Pictures for a May 15, 2009, release.

Like the title character in the hit "Borat," "Bruno" is based on a skit character -- this time an Austrian faux fashionista -- from Cohen's former HBO series, "Da Ali G Show."

So far, Sony's Tom Hanks-starring mystery drama "Angels & Demons," based on the Dan Brown novel, represents the only competition for "Bruno" in its release slot.

"Borat," which 20th Century Fox opened in November 2006, had a better-than-expected bow of $26.5 million (13.6 million pounds) and went on to gross $128.5 million domestically.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter