Sacha Baron Cohen revealed that the creative team behind Ironheart had concerns about casting him as Mephisto. While offering him the role, the team asked whether portraying a devil-like character would make him uncomfortable because of historical antisemitic stereotypes.
Baron Cohen discussed the conversation during a live Happy Sad Confused event in New York. He said the team’s thoughtfulness left a lasting impression on him.
The team asked if casting a Jewish actor as Mephisto would evoke antisemitic stereotypes
According to Baron Cohen, the producers and directors raised the issue during a meeting in which they offered him the Marvel role.
“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,” Baron Cohen recalled them saying.
As per Variety, the actor said he had no objections to taking the role. Instead, he appreciated the team’s sensitivity to the historical association between Jewish people and demonic imagery.
“It was such an amazingly considerate, empathetic thing to say,” he said. “And I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m good.’”
The concern stemmed from historical stereotypes that associated Jewish people with demonic features and the devil. Baron Cohen said the production team’s sensitivity made him feel seen and understood.
“I think for the Jews out there, sometimes we don’t feel seen,” he explained. He added that the team’s empathy gave him “a moment of being seen” and called the experience “amazing.”
Baron Cohen eventually debuted as Mephisto in the Marvel Cinematic Universe through Ironheart. In the Disney+ series finale, Dominique Thorne’s Riri Williams made a deal with Mephisto to bring her deceased best friend back to life.
Ironheart creator Chinaka Hodge led the series, while Ryan Coogler and Zinzi Coogler served among its executive producers.
Marvel has not announced whether Mephisto will return or play a larger role in future MCU projects.
For Baron Cohen, however, the thoughtful conversation about his casting was particularly memorable. He praised the team for addressing a sensitive issue directly rather than ignoring its historical context.
