Sacha Baron Cohen reveals A-list star he begged to help transform body for Marvel role... after Ozempic denial
The 53-year-old comedian underwent a jaw-dropping transformation to play Marvel's newest supervillain, Mephisto — and he's showing off the results in the latest issue of Men's Fitness UK.
Opening up about his intense fitness journey, Sacha — who split from wife Isla Fisher in 2023 after more than 20 years together — admitted he had just three weeks to 'get into superhero shape.'
Desperate for help, he turned to longtime friend Matthew McConaughey to get the contact number of celebrity trainer Alfonso Moretti, known for whipping stars into shape on impossible deadlines.
'I called Matthew and asked for help,' Sacha told the outlet.
Then, in classic Baron Cohen style, he quipped, 'After asking who I was and how I'd gotten his number, he finally gave me Alfonso's contact.'
Sacha soon connected with Moretti over FaceTime — a call that ended with the actor stripping to his underwear so Moretti could assess his starting point.
With only a few weeks to get in superhero shape, Moretti kept things simple but strict. Sacha was instructed to stay 'consistent' with a no-excuses plan that included '100 push ups a day.'
His ripped physique wasn't the result of endless workouts or crash dieting.
Instead, the regimen focused on short sessions and a diet high in fiber and protein, and low in sugar.
'25-minute workouts that were sustainable,' Sacha explained. 'Even while filming, the workouts happened. In the past, I would've thought you needed hour-long sessions.'
Sacha also confessed that when he started, 'I had the core strength of an arthritic jellyfish... but the short sessions made it so much easier to stay consistent — even with the demands of being on set.'
Trainer Moretti proudly shared the Men's Fitness UK spread on Instagram, writing, 'Sacha trusted my process and followed the plan exactly. Not only did he earn better health and fitness with incredible aesthetics…but also… The COVER of Men's Fitness!!!'
He added, 'From Borat to Buff full article coming this Friday! For now, enjoy the pictures. Tell me he doesn't look absolutely incredible!'
The impressive feature lands just as Sacha seems to be walking back his eyebrow-raising claim that Ozempic had anything to do with his dramatic new look.
After debuting his chiseled muscles in Men's Fitness UK, Sacha re-shared the photoshoot to social media, captioning the snaps, 'Some celebs use Ozempic, some use private chefs, some use personal trainers. I did all three.'
He added, 'This is not AI. I really am egotistical enough to do this.'
But his reps quickly clarified to MailOnline that the Borat star was 'only joking,' insisting his ripped body is 'all down to hard work.'
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