Sacha Baron Cohen, the actor and comedian famed for his roles in "Borat" and "Ali G," recently unveiled a stunning physical transformation for his portrayal of the Marvel supervillain Mephisto. The 53-year-old actor debuted his chiseled physique on the cover of Men's Fitness UK, showcasing a ripped body that sent the internet into a frenzy.

Initially, Cohen playfully attributed his transformation to a combination of Ozempic, private chefs, and personal trainers. In an Instagram post, he quipped, "Some celebs use Ozempic, some use private chefs, others use personal trainers. I did all three". He further joked, "Debuting my new character: Middle-aged man who replaced beer with protein shakes".

However, Cohen has since walked back his comments regarding Ozempic. In a subsequent Instagram Story, he clarified, "Despite reports, I did not take Ozempic. I got this body the honorable way. Paying a personal trainer a lot of money".

Regardless of the initial jest, Cohen's dedication to achieving his new physique is undeniable. To prepare for the role of Mephisto, Cohen enlisted the help of celebrity trainer Alfonso Moretti after receiving a recommendation from Matthew McConaughey. Moretti, known for his ability to reshape bodies quickly, devised a demanding yet sustainable plan for Cohen.

Moretti's plan required Cohen to do 100 push-ups every day, stick to 25-minute workout sessions, and maintain a high-protein, low-sugar diet. Cohen, who described his initial core strength as "that of an arthritic jellyfish," found the short workouts surprisingly manageable, even during filming.

In the Men's Fitness UK article, Moretti recalled that Cohen "looked like a ruler, straight up and down. But I also detected an athlete in hiding”. Moretti also stated that Cohen had a good base to start with. He lauded Cohen's commitment, saying, "Sacha trusted my process and followed the plan exactly,".

Cohen's transformation is for his role as Mephisto in Marvel's Disney+ series Ironheart. He secretly debuted in the season finale of Ironheart, which premiered earlier in July. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has confirmed that Cohen will reprise his role as Mephisto in future MCU projects, describing him as "a formative character". Feige also hinted that Mephisto is set to play a serious villain moving forward.

The unveiling of Cohen's new physique has generated widespread reactions, with many expressing disbelief and some even questioning whether the images were AI-generated. Cohen quickly dispelled these rumors, stating, "This is not AI. I really am egotistical enough to do this". Chelsea Handler even commented on the Men's Fitness UK Instagram post asking if the pictures were AI.

Whether or not Ozempic played a role, Sacha Baron Cohen's commitment to transforming his body for his Marvel role is evident. Through disciplined training, dietary changes, and the guidance of a personal trainer, Cohen has achieved a remarkable physical transformation that has captured the attention of fans worldwide.