Sacha Baron Cohen, known for his comedic roles as Borat and Ali G, has stunned fans by revealing a dramatically jacked physique, a transformation undertaken for his role as the supervillain Mephisto in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The 53-year-old actor showcased his new look on the cover of Men’s Fitness U.K., featuring bulging biceps, a six-pack, and a freshly shaven beard. This physical overhaul comes after his surprise appearance as the demonic character in the Disney+ series Ironheart earlier this summer.
The Mephisto Transformation: From Comedian to MCU Villain
Cohen’s rigorous body transformation underscores his commitment to the highly anticipated Marvel role. He is set to play Mephisto, a devilish entity from the Marvel comics who makes pacts with mortals and has been a major antagonist for characters like Ghost Rider, Silver Surfer, Spider-Man, and Doctor Strange. Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige has indicated that Mephisto will be a prominent figure in future MCU projects, potentially reaching the status of a villain like Thanos.
A Dedicated Regimen and Celebrity Guidance
To achieve his impressive physique, Cohen enlisted the help of celebrity trainer Alfonso “The Angry Trainer” Moretti. The collaboration came about after Cohen reportedly reached out to Matthew McConaughey for a trainer recommendation. Moretti described Cohen’s initial physique as “like a ruler, straight up and down,” but noted he detected an “athlete in hiding.”
Cohen’s training regimen included starting with 100 push-ups a day, a routine tailored to fit around his production schedule. Moretti stated that Cohen’s diet was “high fibre, low sugar, plenty of protein — nothing fancy, nothing extreme.”
Cohen’s Candid Confession and Viral Reaction
In a candid post on his Instagram story, Cohen addressed the dramatic change, jokingly stating, “This is not AI, I really am egotistical enough to do this.” He further quipped about his methods, writing, “Some celebs use Ozempic, some use private chefs, others use personal trainers. I did all three.” He also lightheartedly referred to his new look as “hard launching my mid-life crisis” and “debuting my new character: middle aged man who replaced beer with protein shakes.”
The transformation quickly went viral, with fans expressing shock and admiration. Comments on social media ranged from “I’m sorry, but thirst trap Borat was not on my 2025 bingo card” to “And he’s 53. Dude looks incredible.”
Mephisto’s Future in the MCU
Cohen’s debut as Mephisto was a surprise appearance in the season finale of Ironheart on Disney+, where the main villain was revealed to have made a “deal with the devil” with Mephisto for his powers. While the character’s first on-screen appearance had been highly anticipated for years, Cohen’s casting was not officially announced prior to his Ironheart debut.
Marvel chief Kevin Feige has confirmed that Cohen’s Mephisto character will be significant in the next phase of the MCU, although specific future projects have not yet been revealed. His extensive physical transformation signals a substantial role for the character going forward, with speculation that he could appear in upcoming Avengers films or other major storylines.
