Sacha Baron Cohen Discusses Marvel Ironheart Pitch and Mephisto Casting

Actor Sacha Baron Cohen disclosed during a live Happy Sad Confused event at New York's 92nd Street Y that the creative team for the Disney+ series Ironheart was careful when pitching him the role of Mephisto, Variety and Deadline reported. The three-time Academy Award nominee said producers and directors wanted to ensure he was not insulted or exposed to potential antisemitic backlash as a Jewish actor playing a character representing the devil. [1][2][8]

According to reports by Deadline and Variety, Baron Cohen recalled the pitch meeting as wonderful. He stated that the producers and directors took an extra careful approach to avoid causing offense when offering him the role of the demon character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe series. [1][2][6][7]

Baron Cohen is an English actor and filmmaker who created the satirical characters Ali G and Borat Sagdiyev. The actor is currently promoting his directorial debut, Ali G: Who Iz I?, in which he resurrects his famous Ali G persona as well as terrorism expert Erran Morad, Collider and The Hollywood Reporter reported. [3][4][9]

The project follows a promotional appearance in London ahead of a limited theatrical release by Amazon MGM Studios scheduled for October 23, as FTMQ Books reported earlier. Baron Cohen will also star in Quentin Tarantino's West End play, The Popinjay Cavalier, set to begin previews in February. [11][12]