Sacha Baron Cohen, 53, reveals jaw-dropping body transformation as he takes on the role of Marvel's ripped supervillain Mephisto

Daily Mail​

5 days ago

He is best known for his iconic comedy roles Ali G and Borat, but here is Sascha Baron Cohen as you have never seen him before.
The actor, 53, has undergone a superhuman transformation as he steps into the Marvel universe as villain Mephisto for his latest role.
Sascha looked worlds away from his former self as he showed off his ripped transformation in the new issue of Men's Fitness UK.
Sascha, who only had just three weeks to get into superhero shape, has made sure to put in the 'hard work' ready to portray the shredded Mephisto.
Posing shirtless for the fitness magazine cover, Sacha looked incredible as he showed off his chiselled abs and toned arms.
Speaking to the publication, the actor revealed he turned to Matthew McConaughey to get the phone number of celebrity trainer Alfonso Moretti, who has well-established reputation for transforming physiques on impossible deadlines.
He joked: 'I called Matthew and asked for help. After asking who I was and how I'd gotten his number, he finally gave me Alfonso's contact'.
Sacha went on to have a FaceTime meeting with Alfonso, who got him to strip down to his underwear during their first chat.
Due to the short time frame and Alfonso workout methods, Sacha was tasked with being 'consistent' by doing '100 push ups a day'.
Sacha's incredible transformation was far from marathon workouts and extreme dieting, as they concentrated on short workouts and a diet high in fibre and protein as well as low in sugar.
He said: '25-minute workouts that were sustainable. Even while filming, the workouts happened. In the past, I would've thought you needed hour-long sessions'.
'But the short sessions made it so much easier to stay consistent - even with the demands of being on set.'
By the two-week mark, Sacha's wardrobe team had to spend $5,000 (£3,600) altering costumes because his body had changed so significantly. He was leaner, stronger, and fitter than ever before.
His trainer Alfonso gushed: '100% committed. He could be filming for 15 hours, start at 6am, finish at nine at night and he'd still send me a text: 'Do you have time for a workout?''
Revealing his new appearance on his Instagram Story, the funnyman quipped: 'This is not AI, I really am egotistical enough to do this.
'Some celebs use Ozempic, some use private chefs, others use personal trainers. I did all three.'
He also wrote that he is 'hard launching my mid-life crisis' and 'debuting my new character: middle aged man who replaced beer with protein shakes'
His trainer also shared the magazine's photos to Instagram and wrote that he 'could not be more proud' of Sascha after working out with him.
'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!!!' Moretti wrote. 'From Borat to Buff full article coming this Friday! For now, enjoy the pictures. Tell me he doesn't look absolutely incredible!'
In a recent press conference, Marvel chief Kevin Feige confirmed that Sacha will be portraying MCU character.
Sacha first rose to fame in the 1990s with his Ali G character, the infamous spoof wannabe gangster who became a comedy star.
He also starred as Borat, a journalist from Kazakhstan, and played the role of flamboyant Austrian fashionista Bruno.