Sacha Baron Cohen is not just known for wild wigs and odd accents anymore. The man behind "Borat" and "Ali G" has taken a surprising turn, swapping comedy for chaos as Marvel's Mephisto in "Ironheart." With a devilish grin and a shredded torso, the 53-year-old funnyman has entered superhero territory.
“The Dictator” star made jaws drop when he showed up shirtless in the season finale of "Ironheart" on Disney+. Fans barely recognized the man behind the devil makeup, stunned by his lean, sculpted body.
The MCU rarely hands out roles this dark to someone with Cohen’s background. Best known for outlandish satire, the "Borat" star leaned into a demonic persona to portray Mephisto, a Marvel villain with a taste for torment. He plays a supernatural manipulator tied to storylines with Thanos and Spider-Man.
Cohen / IG / To build Mephisto’s intimidating physique, the "Grimsby" star linked up with celebrity trainer Alfonso "The Angry Trainer" Moretti.
The intro came from none other than Matthew McConaughey. Moretti didn’t go easy. The workouts were short, just 25 minutes a day, but brutal. And Cohen didn’t skip a single session.
Every day started with 100 pushups. On top of that, he stuck to a high-protein, low-sugar plan to drop body fat and build muscle. The switch from late-night snacks to lean meals wasn’t easy. The comic legend called it part of a “mid-life crisis,” though his results were more heroic than tragic.
Sacha Baron Cohen didn’t shy away from mocking himself. He posted on Instagram about trading beer for protein shakes and joked about using Ozempic, personal chefs, and trainers.
When Men’s Fitness UK put Cohen on its cover, fans did double-takes. Some cracked jokes about “thirst trap Borat,” but the admiration was real. The change from oversized suits and bad mustaches to muscle definition and devil horns couldn’t have been sharper. The magazine spread went viral overnight.
"Ironheart" producer Ryan Coogler praised Cohen’s first appearance as Mephisto. Instead of dropping the character into "WandaVision," Marvel chose to introduce him through Riri Williams, a stressed-out genius at the center of "Ironheart."
Cohen / IG / Cohen’s transformation happened after his quiet divorce from actress Isla Fisher.
The media didn’t miss the timing, dubbing his new physique a "revenge body." He laughed it off, but fans noticed the timing. The shift from rom-com dad bod to Marvel menace wasn’t accidental.
However, Cohen’s muscle gain didn’t just impress fans. It threw off Marvel’s wardrobe team. Reports say some costumes had to be resized to fit his new shape.
Kevin Feige, the Marvel chief, confirmed that Mephisto isn’t just filler. He teased the devil’s bigger presence in future films. Some insiders say he could anchor a major storyline, maybe even a new Avengers saga.
This Marvel character is not just any villain. Mephisto is basically the devil in the comics. He trades souls, manipulates heroes, and alters realities. He is connected to huge storylines, including Spider-Man’s infamous "One More Day." Giving that weight to a satirist like Cohen raises expectations and intrigue.
After years of familiar faces, Marvel seems ready to stir the pot. Casting Sacha Baron Cohen, a man who once wrestled naked in "Borat," as a supernatural villain is a clear shift. It is the kind of risk that could flop or become iconic. So far, it looks like a win.
