Is Sony afraid of the big bad Trump? Studio accused of burying release of Sacha Baron Cohen film over 'joke' that sees The Donald contract HIV 

While audiences at screenings of the new Sacha Baron Cohen movie have been cheering a scene in which Donald Trump accidentally contracts HIV, Sony Pictures is reportedly concerned about the his reaction.

At The Brothers Grimsby world premiere in London last week, one viewer said the scene was met with 'loud cheering,' while another viewer at a different screening noted 'the whole cinema clapped.'

Industry sources said Sony made its disapproval at the scene clear and pushed to cut it, but in a rare deal for a producer-actor, Baron Cohen has final authority, according to The Huffington Post.

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While audiences at screenings of the new Sacha Baron Cohen movie have been cheering a scene in which 'Donald Trump' accidentally contracts HIV, Sony Pictures is reportedly concerned about Trump's reaction

A viewer at a screening of the film last week wrote that 'the whole cinema clapped when Donald Trump got given AIDS'

The film includes a scene in which Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, who is played by a double, is infected after a misdirected gunshot splatters the blood of a HIV-positive child into his mouth, according to The Daily Telegraph.

At the end of the satiric comedy, Trump is then infected with Radcliffe's blood leading to news reports that 'Donald Trump has AIDS.' 

The movie includes a disclaimer noting that Radcliffe was not involved in the film and is not HIV positive, along with a similar notice that appears for the Republican presidential candidate.

The joke has reportedly been met with 'loud cheering' and even standing ovations at screenings in Europe, but Sony executives are nervous that it could anger Trump, according to sources.

'If you were told that they're shying away from the movie because of the political implications, I can tell you that's 100 per cent true,' a source told the Huffington Post.

A scene from Baron Cohen's The Brothers Grimsby, which opens March 11 in the United States, shown above

Baron Cohen and his brother in the film played by British actor Mark Strong are shown above in a scene

Another source noted: 'They're subtly trying to make it disappear so Donald Trump doesn't sue the studio, and also if Donald Trump wins, then they don't have a major problem with the corporation where they've alienated the president.'

However, contrary to those claims, another industry source told the Huffington Post that the reports of a panicking studio are part of a 'stunt' to gain more publicity.

'Sacha's been a great partner with the studio. It's silly. The studio always knew what the movie was,' the industry insider said.

'It's Sacha Baron Cohen's outrageous brand. Legal vets it. There's no worries there, and there's no big love affair with Trump out here in Hollywood.'

Meanwhile, as the film is set to open in the US on March 11, many may not be aware as a marketing campaign has not been visible given a decision by the studio to limit its marketing, the Huffington Post reported.

'You see any ads for it? See any television spots? See it digitally?' one source asked who added that in North America, there is not one billboard for the film.

A publicist for Baron Cohen declined to comment while a Sony spokeswoman called claims that the studio was not fully backing the film 'utter nonsense' - noting they have been 'supportive of the filmmaker and the film,' according to the Huffington Post.

A publicist for Baron Cohen declined to comment while a Sony spokeswoman called claims that the studio was not fully backing the film 'utter nonsense' - noting they have been 'supportive of the filmmaker and the film'

Baron Cohen has been promoting the film, appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live in character as Borat, at the Oscars as Ali G and recently showed the film to Kim Kardashian West and her family who posted their reactions to social media.

The applause the scene has received overseas has been providing comedic relief for Europeans horrified by Trump's rise in the race for president.

Super Tuesday's results, in which Trump won seven of 11 states, mean he is a contender.

A day after his Super Tuesday wins, Sen. John McCain joined 60-plus leaders in the Republican national security community to blast Donald Trump's foreign policy prowess in an open letter.

The GOP experts penned an open letter warning that a Trump presidency would make 'America less safe' and would 'diminish our standing in the world.'

The experts pointed out that Trump calling for global trade wars, as he has against China, Japan and Mexico, would be a 'recipe for economic disaster in a globally connected world.'

Torture, and Trump's embrace of waterboarding and more, was also 'inexcusable,' the experts said.

They signees also argued Trump's rhetoric – he has labeled Mexicans who have illegally come into the country criminals and 'rapists' – 'inflames unhelpful passions.'