Why was Sacha Baron Cohen cast as Mephisto in Ironheart? Director Angela Barnes reveals the answer

BAFTA and Golden Globe Award-winning comedian and actor Sacha Baron Cohen made his MCU debut in Disney+'s Ironheart Episode 6 as Mephisto, one of the most feared and powerful villains in the comics.

While fans were speculating about Mephisto's debut in the MCU timeline for a long time, Cohen was finally introduced as the Dark Lord, who gave Anthony Ramos' Parker Robbins his powerful hood.

Sacha Baron Cohen is best known for his 2006 mockumentary film Borat, which also won him the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy.

Talking about the reason for casting the actor as Mephisto in Ironheart, episodes 4-6 director Angela Barnes revealed to ScreenRant:

''...The first actor that I could think of that would be the perfect fit for this, just in terms of being snarky but also a little scary, was Sacha Baron Cohen.''

More on Sacha Baron Cohen's Mephisto in our story.

Sacha Baron Cohen debuts as Mephisto in Ironheart Episode 6

Fans were delightfully surprised by the big reveal in the Ironheart finale, which introduced a major villain in the MCU, who is none other than Mephisto.

Episodes 4-6 saw Riri (Dominique Thorne) build a new and powerful suit after she separated Parker from his magical hood. The finale also revealed who gave Parker his mystical hood, and as opposed to Dormammu (in the comics), it was Mephisto who was revealed to be Parker's magic benefactor.

Ever since WandaVision's debut as one of the first MCU shows on Disney+, Mephisto's debut was one of the most anticipated among fans.

Discussing the character's introduction and future, showrunner Chinaka Hodge said in an interview with ScreenRant:

"I hope fans like it. That's everything I feel about it because the fans have wanted it for so long, have asked on every avenue...I really hope that fans like it. And I hope that Mephisto still lives long and prosperously in the MCU because Sacha's done such a great job with the character."

Praising Sacha Baron Cohen, Barnes added:

"We had to get the casting, we had to make sure that the right person was going to be in this. Because whatever happens after this, it's going to be that actor...But he just worked so hard, and he was so funny."

Who is Ironheart's Mephisto in the MCU?

Mephisto is a fictional character from the Marvel comics created by writer Stan Lee and penciler John Buscema. Inspired by the demon Mephistopheles of the Faust legend, Mephisto is a supernatural dark lord who makes deals with mortals and plays on the worst human fears.

After getting his first official name-drop in 2024's Agatha All Along, Mephisto finally made its MCU debut in Ironheart Episode 6 and was revealed to be Parker's magic benefactor.

Introduced as a polished and well-dressed businessman, Mephisto is a dark lord with many secrets who even tries to cut a deal with Riri by promising to bring her dead friend Natalie back to life.

Sacha Baron Cohen's MCU debut introduces a major villain in the franchise, and fans are already speculating on Mephisto's next outing. Considering Ironheart teased the villain in the finale, the character seems to have a promising future in the franchise.

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