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Sacha Baron Cohen has revealed that Marvel’s creative team behind the Disney+ series Ironheart expressed concern about potential antisemitic associations before offering him the role of the devil-like villain Mephisto. The British-Jewish actor shared the story during a live conversation at New York’s 92nd Street Y on Wednesday night, as part of his promotional tour for Ali G: Who Iz I?
A Thoughtful Approach to a Sensitive Casting Decision
Baron Cohen told host Josh Horowitz that the offer came from a team he described as almost entirely Black in its producing and directing ranks. He recalled their words directly. “They said, ‘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 recounted. Baron Cohen called the gesture “an amazingly considerate, empathetic thing to say,” adding that he was happy to accept the role.
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The antisemitic stereotype linking Jewish people to demonic imagery has deep historical roots. It stems partly from a centuries-old mistranslation of the Bible. Over time, that error helped fuel harmful myths. The Brandeis Center notes that since medieval times, Jewish communities have frequently been depicted as “a wealthy, powerful, menacing and controlling collectivity, demanding the sacrifice of others to their own greed.”
Mephisto’s Role in Ironheart
Mephisto is a well-known Marvel Comics villain. The character draws inspiration from Mephistopheles, a devil-like figure from European folklore and literature. In the comics, Mephisto is notorious for luring superheroes into bargains, often demanding their souls in return. In the Ironheart series finale, Dominique Thorne’s character Riri Williams strikes a deal with Baron Cohen’s Mephisto. She agrees to the bargain in order to bring her deceased best friend back to life.
Ironheart was created by Chinaka Hodge. The series counts Black Panther director Ryan Coogler and Zinzi Coogler among its executive producers. Marvel Studios did not respond to a request for comment before publication.
Baron Cohen Reflects on Feeling Seen
Beyond the casting itself, Baron Cohen said the moment carried deeper personal meaning. “I think for the Jews out there, sometimes we don’t feel seen,” he explained. “We don’t feel like people can empathize with us, that we are suffering too.” He said that the empathy shown by the show’s Black creative team made him feel genuinely acknowledged. “It was a moment of being seen,” he added. “It was an amazing experience.”
Baron Cohen’s comments highlight how Marvel’s team navigated a historically charged casting choice with care. The exchange also drew attention to a broader conversation about cross-cultural empathy within the entertainment industry.
