Sacha Baron Cohen Says Marvel Took Care Over Casting a Jewish Actor as the Devil in ‘Ironheart’

NEW YORK — Sacha Baron Cohen has shared how Marvel approached the sensitive subject of casting a Jewish actor as Mephisto, a demon associated with the devil, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Speaking during a live conversation for “Happy Sad Confused” at New York’s 92nd Street Y, the actor recalled being offered the role for last year’s Disney+ series “Ironheart.” Cohen, who is currently touring to promote “Ali G: Who Iz I?,” said the show’s creative team was particularly mindful of the historical associations between Jewish people and the devil.

“It was a wonderful meeting when I was offered it,” Baron Cohen told Josh Horowitz Wednesday night. He described the producing and directing team as primarily, if not almost entirely, Black.

“They said, ‘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.’ It was such an amazingly considerate, empathetic thing to say. And I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m good.’”

Negative stereotypes portraying Jewish people with horns and other demonic features trace back to a centuries-old mistranslation of the Bible, which contributed to the spread of antisemitic myths. The Brandeis Center has also documented the history of such prejudice.

“Since medieval times,” the organization writes, “Jewry has frequently been depicted as a wealthy, powerful, menacing and controlling collectivity, demanding the sacrifice of others to their own greed.”

In Marvel comics, Mephisto, whose character draws inspiration from the devil-like figure Mephistopheles, is known for deceiving superheroes into making bargains, often in exchange for their souls.

The character’s role in “Ironheart” culminates in the series finale, when Riri Williams, played by Dominique Thorne, makes a deal with Cohen’s Mephisto to resurrect her deceased best friend.

Cohen said the experience carried significance beyond being offered the part, particularly because of the empathy shown by the series’ creative team.

“I think for the Jews out there, sometimes we don’t feel seen,” Baron Cohen explained. “We don’t feel like people can empathise with us, that we are suffering too. And so to have this entirely Black producing and directing team be so empathetic, was a moment of being seen. It was an amazing experience.”

“Ironheart” was created by Chinaka Hodge. Ryan Coogler, who directed “Black Panther,” and Zinzi Coogler served as executive producers.

Marvel Studios had not immediately responded to a request for comment.