Sacha Baron Cohen Doesn’t Know if Mephisto Is Returning for ‘Ghost Rider,’ Even as Rumors Swirl

Some Marvel villains take years to show up, and few were anticipated as long as Mephisto. Fans spotted him in theories as far back as ‘WandaVision,’ and the guessing game dragged on until he finally appeared. When he did, it was as a quiet, unsettling cameo that left viewers wanting more.

Sacha Baron Cohen plays the demon, and his debut came in the final episode of ‘Ironheart’ in June 2025. In that story, Riri Williams makes a deal with Mephisto to bring her best friend back from the dead, and the bargain leaves glowing veins across her arms. Since then, the character has largely retreated into the shadows.

Now Marvel’s upcoming ‘Ghost Rider’ movie has fans asking whether the devil will return. In a clip circulating online, Cohen was asked whether he will reprise Mephisto in the film, and his answer was candid. He said he has no idea and that he actually doesn’t know.

The response is short, and it’s the sort of line that can be read either way. It could mean that nobody has told him, or that he is being careful with a Marvel secret. Marvel is famously protective of casting, and actors often avoid confirming anything before an official announcement.

It also fits the current state of reporting. Marvel has not confirmed Cohen’s involvement in ‘Ghost Rider,’ and no cast member beyond Ryan Gosling has been announced.

Cohen’s casting had been rumored for a long time. Deadline reported back in October 2022 that he was in talks to join ‘Ironheart’ as Mephisto, and Marvel declined to comment. An official copyright filing later listed him as a “Mystery Man,” but nothing was confirmed until the finale aired.

More recently, Cohen has talked about how the offer came together. He said the creative team behind ‘Ironheart’ took extra care, acknowledging the historical negative association between Jewish people and the devil, and checking that he would not be insulted. He said he found the approach considerate and was happy to proceed.

Since ‘Ghost Rider’ was announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2026, insiders have claimed that Cohen will reprise the role. Those reports also said the demon will not serve as the movie’s main villain. None of it has been confirmed by Marvel Studios.

The film stars Ryan Gosling, will be directed by Shawn Levy and is written by Jonathan Tropper. It is set to arrive in theaters on July 28, 2028. Filming has not begun, and Marvel’s Kevin Feige declined to detail Gosling’s character at Comic-Con.

The connection is built into the character’s history. In the comics, Johnny Blaze makes a deal with Mephisto and is bound to become the Spirit of Vengeance. Previous films reflect that link, with Peter Fonda playing Mephisto in the 2007 ‘Ghost Rider’ and Ciarán Hinds playing the villain in 2012’s ‘Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.’

Marvel also has history with the character on TV. Gabriel Luna played Robbie Reyes as Ghost Rider on ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,’ and Nicolas Cage played Johnny Blaze in the earlier Sony films. This new film is expected to reboot the character in the main MCU, which would make a returning Mephisto a natural fit.

This isn’t the first time Cohen has been asked about the future of the demon. Earlier this year, he told ScreenRant that when it comes to what fans will see first, he thinks “Mephisto” would return before Borat. At the time, he was promoting his Netflix comedy ‘Ladies First’ alongside Rosamund Pike.

That optimism makes his latest answer more intriguing. He clearly expects the character to come back at some point, but he does not know where or when.

For now, the facts are limited. Marvel has not announced Cohen’s return, and the film is still more than a year and a half away. Fans will have to wait for official casting news.

Until then, the question remains open. The devil may be waiting in the wings, but Cohen is not ready to say so.

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