Sacha Baron Cohen says Marvel’s “Ironheart” team raised the subject of antisemitism before offering him the role of Mephisto, the devil-like villain he played in the Disney+ series. Baron Cohen described the conversation during a live “Happy Sad Confused” taping with host Josh Horowitz on Oct. 21 at New York’s 92nd Street Y, where he was appearing while on tour promoting his new film, “Ali G: Who Iz I?”
According to Baron Cohen, the production team approached the casting with direct acknowledgment of the sensitivity involved. “We want to offer you Mephisto, but we are aware of the negative association of Jews historically with the devil, and we want to make sure that you’re not insulted by us offering this,” he recalled the team telling him. He called the gesture remarkably considerate.
Marvel’s Concern Over the Sacha Baron Cohen Mephisto Casting
Mephisto is a longtime Marvel Comics villain known for tricking superheroes into trading their souls for what they want most. The link between Jewish people and devilish imagery that the “Ironheart” team referenced has deep roots. One often-cited source is a centuries-old mistranslation in St. Jerome’s Latin Vulgate Bible, which described Moses as “horned” rather than radiant after he came down from Mount Sinai. Medieval art and antisemitic propaganda later helped turn that image into a lasting myth.
Baron Cohen said he welcomed the conversation rather than taking offense. He described the “Ironheart” producing and directing team as almost entirely Black and said their willingness to raise the issue with him carried particular weight.
“I think for the Jews out there, sometimes we don’t feel seen. We don’t feel like people can empathize with us, that we are suffering too,” Baron Cohen said. “And so to have this entirely Black producing and directing team be so empathetic, was a moment of being seen. It was an amazing experience.”
Mephisto’s Role in the ‘Ironheart’ Finale
In the “Ironheart” finale, Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) makes a bargain with Mephisto that brings her late best friend, Natalie (Lyric Ross), back to life, a plot point that echoes the character’s comic book history of soul-bargaining with Marvel heroes. A flashback in the same episode also reveals Mephisto as the source of the cloak that powers Parker Robbins, aka The Hood (Anthony Ramos).
“Ironheart” premiered on Disney+ in June 2025. The six-episode series was created by Chinaka Hodge, with “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler and Zinzi Coogler among its executive producers.
Context on Baron Cohen’s Recent Work
Baron Cohen’s comments came amid a broader conversation about his career while touring for “Ali G: Who Iz I?” The comedian is also set to star in “The Popinjay Cavalier,” a West End play from Quentin Tarantino that marks the director’s first work written for the stage. It is scheduled to open at London’s Phoenix Theatre on March 18, 2027.
Baron Cohen’s full remarks on the “Ironheart” casting process were reported by Variety, which covered the 92nd Street Y conversation. His Mephisto appearance was limited to the series finale, though Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige has previously indicated plans for the character to return.
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