Sacha Baron Cohen’s Mephisto Bulk Transformation Stuns Fans

Sacha Baron Cohen’s chiseled torso on the cover of Men’s Fitness UK sent shockwaves through Hollywood this week. The 52-year-old comedian, best known for his outrageous characters, now resembles a Marvel superhero villain after a staggering physical overhaul for his role as Mephisto. “Divorce is a HELL of a fitness motivator,” quipped one Twitter user, capturing the internet’s fascination with Cohen’s metamorphosis amid his split from Isla Fisher. This radical Sacha Baron Cohen transformation proves the actor’s dedication to becoming Marvel’s next major antagonist.

Inside Cohen’s Supervillain Training Regimen

Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige confirmed Mephisto will be a central MCU villain, and Cohen committed with near-superhuman intensity. Behind his new physique is celebrity trainer Alfonso “The Angry Trainer” Moretti, who designed a brutal program of short, high-intensity workouts and a strict high-protein, high-fiber diet. The regimen began after Cohen sought advice from Matthew McConaughey, who immediately recommended Moretti. Their first Zoom session was brutally honest: “He looked like a ruler, straight up and down,” Moretti told Deadline, though he sensed “an athlete in hiding.”

Cohen started with 100 daily pushups, progressing to weighted circuits and compound lifts. Despite filming commitments and personal upheaval from his divorce, he trained religiously—even in hotel rooms during travel. His consistency forced multiple costume redesigns for the Disney+ series Ironheart. Cohen humorously admitted starting with “the core strength of an arthritic jellyfish,” but now boasts his best-ever fitness level at 52. Nutritionally, Moretti prioritized lean proteins like grilled chicken and fish, complex carbs, and fibrous vegetables to fuel muscle growth while keeping body fat minimal.

Viral Reactions to Cohen’s Superhero Makeover

Social media erupted when Cohen’s photos surfaced. Fans struggled to reconcile the chiseled Marvel villain with Borat’s flamboyant persona. “Damnnnn Bro got jacked,” tweeted one user, while others declared him “unrecognizably sexy.” Many expressed renewed interest in Marvel projects despite franchise fatigue, intrigued by Cohen’s embodiment of the demonic Mephisto.

Damn it!
I almost dropped my 3rd pizza slice.
Now even 53-year-old Borat is ripped and hot???
Can’t middle-aged men age gracefully and get fat???? pic.twitter.com/DVZHvgDixL

— spacedonkey (@spacedonkey_666) July 23, 2025

Not all feedback was positive. Some linked Cohen’s transformation to personal turmoil, calling it an “Extremely Divorced Guy thing.” Critics accused him of trading comedic authenticity for mainstream appeal, with one tweet noting: “Sacha Baron Cohen took the Gervais path… became a complete a**hole.” Yet most acknowledged the staggering discipline behind his physical reboot—whether driven by professional ambition or personal catharsis.

Cohen’s journey from comedic wildcard to Marvel heavyweight showcases extraordinary physical dedication amid personal challenges. His Sacha Baron Cohen transformation proves method-acting extremes can yield superhero results—and that real-life plot twists often fuel the most compelling character arcs. Follow his MCU debut in Ironheart on Disney+ this fall.

Must Know

Q: Who trained Sacha Baron Cohen for his Mephisto transformation?
A: Celebrity trainer Alfonso Moretti designed Cohen’s regimen. Known as “The Angry Trainer,” Moretti was recommended by Matthew McConaughey and specializes in high-intensity workouts and precision nutrition for rapid physical transformations.

Q: How did Sacha Baron Cohen’s divorce impact his fitness journey?
A: While Cohen hasn’t explicitly linked his transformation to his split from Isla Fisher, insiders note he trained obsessively throughout their separation. Multiple sources, including Deadline, reported his unwavering discipline despite personal challenges.

Q: What diet did Cohen follow for his superhero physique?
A: Moretti implemented a high-protein, high-fiber diet with lean meats, fish, complex carbohydrates, and vegetables. This approach fuels muscle growth while minimizing fat—critical for superhero roles requiring defined musculature.

Q: Will Cohen’s transformation affect future comedy roles?
A: Industry experts suggest Cohen’s physical reboot won’t limit his versatility. His comedic genius remains intact, and the transformation specifically serves Marvel’s long-term plans for Mephisto across multiple MCU projects.

Q: How long did Cohen’s physique transformation take?
A: While exact timelines aren’t public, Cohen’s regimen reportedly caused multiple costume adjustments during Ironheart filming. Such drastic changes typically require 6-12 months of dedicated training and nutrition.

Q: Is Cohen’s Mephisto a one-time MCU appearance?
A: No. Kevin Feige confirmed Mephisto as a “central villain” in Marvel’s future phases, implying Cohen will reprise the role in multiple films and series beyond Ironheart.