British actor and comedian Sacha Baron Cohen has unveiled a surprising new look in the latest issue of Men’s Fitness UK, revealing the results of an intense physical transformation undertaken for his role as Mephisto in the Disney+ Marvel series Ironheart. The 52-year-old, widely known for satirical characters like Borat and Ali G, took to social media to share images from the magazine shoot, showcasing his muscular build, an unexpected twist that has left fans both stunned and intrigued.
Cohen’s portrayal of Mephisto, a long-anticipated addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), officially debuted earlier this summer in Ironheart, a series centred on a brilliant young inventor grappling with cutting-edge technology and high-stakes conflict. The character’s introduction was particularly notable as fans had speculated about Mephisto’s arrival for several years, with rumours swirling as early as WandaVision. Baron Cohen had consistently featured in fan-casting discussions for the role.
A Physical Commitment to the Role
Addressing his transformation with characteristic humour, Cohen posted on Instagram: «Some celebs use Ozempic, some use private chefs, others personal trainers. I did all three.» He reassured followers that the images were genuine, stating, «This is not AI. I really am egotistical enough to do this.»
In other tongue-in-cheek captions, he joked about the lifestyle changes behind his new appearance, writing, «Debuting my new character: middle-aged man who replaced beer with protein shakes,» and, «Hard launching my mid-life crisis.» The posts generated a flurry of amused and admiring reactions online, as fans noted the dramatic shift in physique and tone.
The Creative Vision Behind Mephisto’s Introduction
Ironheart executive producer and Black Panther director Ryan Coogler expressed satisfaction with the timing and context of Mephisto’s introduction, the Variety reports.
I just absolutely love that we’re not meeting him in WandaVision or Agatha [All Along],” he said. «You’re meeting him through this stressed-out, young Black genius. When you watch the show, it’s like, ‘Oh, that was how you always were gonna meet him.’»
Coogler added that Mephisto’s low-key first appearance, in a pizza shop in Chicago, was deliberate. «That’s the trickster; that’s how he works. That’s where he’s gonna be, somewhere you’d never expect him.»
Chinaka Hodge, Ironheart’s head writer, also weighed in, describing the casting and storyline choices as the result of collective creative input. «It was a collaborative effort,» she said, «but there was one of us in the room who led us there, and I’m eternally grateful for him guiding us in that direction.» Hodge also hinted at the influence of Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, describing him as «benevolent» during the development process.
