Sacha Baron Cohen says Marvel’s “Ironheart” creative team discussed how his casting as Mephisto would be received, taking into account his Jewish identity and the potential for antisemitic associations. Cohen describes the conversations around whether portraying the Devil as a Jewish actor could be seen as insulting or stereotypical, and he frames the discussions as mindful and protective.
Across outlets, Cohen’s comments are tied to his live-action MCU role as Mephisto and to the production team’s approach during the casting process. Variety and Deadline both highlight Cohen’s recollection of how the team tried to avoid offending him as a Jewish actor, while ComingSoon.net emphasizes Marvel’s concern about antisemitic backlash tied to historical connections between Jews and the Devil.
The outlets differ mainly in the emphasis of what Marvel was worried about—personal respect versus broader public backlash—while agreeing on the central point that the concerns were raised during casting for “Ironheart.”
