Marvel Feared Backlash Over Jewish Actor as Ironheart’s Devil
WHO:
Coming Soon - Sacha Baron Cohen plays Mephisto, a demon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and appeared as the character in the Disney+ series *Ironheart*.
Variety - Sacha Baron Cohen discussed his experience signing on to play Mephisto; Marvel Studios’ creative team was involved in discussions about the casting.
Variety - Cohen was promoting “Ali G: Who Iz I?” and spoke during a live “Happy Sad Confused” conversation.
WHAT:
Deadline - *Ironheart* producers and directors wanted to ensure Cohen was “not insulted” by being asked, as a Jewish actor, to portray Mephisto.
Coming Soon - Cohen said Marvel Studios discussed concerns about antisemitic stereotypes surrounding Mephisto.
Coming Soon - Cohen said Marvel Studios was mindful of historical antisemitic associations between Jewish people and the Devil.
Coming Soon - Cohen described a meeting with Marvel as “a wonderful meeting.”
Variety - Cohen discussed Marvel’s concern that casting a Jewish actor as the Devil in *Ironheart* could be perceived as antisemitic.
WHERE:
Variety - Cohen’s live “Happy Sad Confused” conversation took place at New York’s 92nd Street Y.
WHEN:
Coming Soon - Cohen made his live-action MCU debut as Mephisto in 2025.
WHY:
Coming Soon - Marvel’s concern related to historical antisemitic associations linking Jewish people with the Devil.
Variety - Marvel worried that casting a Jewish actor as the demonic character Mephisto could raise concerns about antisemitism.
HOW:
Coming Soon - Cohen said Marvel addressed the issue through discussions with him about the character’s antisemitic associations.
Variety - Cohen recounted the casting experience during a live conversation while promoting “Ali G: Who Iz I?”
(UPDATED October 23, 2026 02:17 UTC)
Sacha Baron Cohen says Marvel Studios carefully discussed the sensitivities around casting him as Mephisto, the demon he plays in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. At a live “Happy Sad Confused” conversation at New York’s 92nd Street Y, Cohen recalled that the studio was mindful of historical antisemitic associations linking Jewish people with the Devil. The creative team, including the producers and directors of *Ironheart*, wanted to make sure he was not offended by the offer. Cohen said Marvel raised the concern directly with him and described their meeting as “a wonderful meeting.” He made his live-action MCU debut as Mephisto in 2025, appearing in the Disney+ series *Ironheart*. Cohen discussed the casting while promoting “Ali G: Who Iz I?” His account highlights how Marvel considered the potential implications of having a Jewish actor portray the demonic character.
--
(UPDATED October 22, 2026 23:11 UTC)
Sacha Baron Cohen says Marvel Studios discussed the risk of antisemitic interpretations when he was cast as Mephisto, the demon he played in the Disney+ series *Ironheart*. The concern centered on a long history of antisemitic associations linking Jewish people with the Devil. Cohen recounted the conversations during a live appearance at New York’s 92nd Street Y, where he was promoting “Ali G: Who Iz I?” The studio’s creative team was involved in discussions about the casting, and Cohen said Marvel addressed the issue directly with him. He described his meeting with the studio as “a wonderful meeting.” Marvel was mindful that casting a Jewish actor as a demonic character could be perceived as reinforcing harmful stereotypes. Cohen shared the experience during a “Happy Sad Confused” conversation, reflecting on how the casting was handled.