Sacha Baron Cohen, known for his comedic roles, has shocked fans with a dramatic body transformation for his new Marvel villain role as Mephisto, revealing his chiselled physique and admitting to using Ozempic.
From Borat to Bulked Up: The Viral Reveal
The internet went into a frenzy when Sacha Baron Cohen debuted his incredibly ripped physique in photos for Men’s Fitness UK. The 53-year-old comedian, famous for characters like Borat and Ali G, showed off his six-pack abs and muscular back, making it clear he’d put in serious work.
The photos quickly went viral, with some fans even questioning if they were AI-generated. Even fellow comedian Chelsea Handler jokingly asked if the images were fake.
Not AI, Just Dedication (and Some Help)
Cohen quickly shut down the AI rumors, reposting a cover with the caption: “This is not AI. I really am egotistical enough to do this.” His trainer also backed him up, praising Cohen’s commitment and discipline.
The actor then came clean about part of his transformation, admitting he used Ozempic. He joked, “Some celebs use Ozempic, some use private chefs, others use personal trainers. I did all three.” He also quipped, “Debuting my new character: Middle-aged man who replaced beer with protein shakes.”
Stepping into the MCU as Mephisto
Cohen is set to play Mephisto, the devilish supervillain in the Marvel universe. He made a secret debut in the season finale of Marvel’s *Ironheart* series, which recently dropped on Disney+.
Marvel boss Kevin Feige has confirmed that Mephisto, and Cohen, aren’t going anywhere. Feige hinted that Mephisto is a “formative character” and will play a significant villain role in future Marvel projects.
The Intense Training Regimen
Achieving this new physique wasn’t easy. Cohen reached out to Matthew McConaughey for advice, who then connected him with celebrity trainer Alfonso Moretti. Their first Zoom call was quite memorable, with Moretti reportedly telling Cohen to strip to his underwear.
Moretti’s initial impression was that Cohen “looked like a ruler, straight up and down.” However, he quickly spotted an “athlete in hiding.” Cohen committed fully, starting with 100 push-ups a day and training hard even while filming.
The transformation was so significant that Cohen’s Mephisto suit needed to be resized multiple times to fit his new muscular build.
From “Jellyfish” to Peak Fitness
Cohen credits his no-nonsense trainer for pushing him. He humorously admitted that he started with “the core strength of an arthritic jellyfish.” Now, he proudly states he’s in the best shape of his life.
- Sacha Baron Cohen transformed his body for his Marvel role as Mephisto.
- He admitted to using Ozempic, private chefs, and personal trainers.
- His trainer had him strip to his underwear on their first Zoom call.
- Cohen’s Mephisto suit needed multiple resizes due to his muscle gain.
This dramatic shift highlights Cohen’s dedication to his new supervillain role, promising an imposing presence in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for years to come.
