Sacha Baron Cohen reportedly returning as Mephisto in Marvel’s Ghost Rider

Sacha Baron Cohen is reportedly set to reprise Mephisto in Marvel’s upcoming Ghost Rider film starring Ryan Gosling, according to insider Jeff Sneider, though the demon will not serve as the movie’s main villain.

TL;DR

• Insider Jeff Sneider reports Sacha Baron Cohen will reprise Mephisto in Marvel’s Ghost Rider.
• Cohen’s version of the character will reportedly not be the film’s main antagonist.
• Ryan Gosling plays Johnny Blaze; Rosamund Pike is reportedly eyed as his love interest.
• Marvel Studios has not confirmed any casting. Ghost Rider is targeting a 2028 release.

Sneider’s report ties Mephisto to Ghost Rider’s villain plans

Baron Cohen made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut as Mephisto in the sixth episode of Ironheart, which premiered on Disney+ last year. The character’s arrival capped years of fan speculation dating back to WandaVision in 2021.

Now, according to a report from SlashFilm, which cited Sneider’s newsletter, The InSneider, Baron Cohen is expected to carry the role into Ghost Rider. Sneider added that the demon will not be the film’s primary antagonist, leaving the main villain unnamed for now.

Gosling is confirmed to play Johnny Blaze in the Shawn Levy-directed film, which Marvel Studios officially unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con 2026. Murphy’s Multiverse reported that Gosling’s Ghost Rider is expected to debut in Avengers: Secret Wars before headlining his own film.

A Ladies First reunion? Rosamund Pike enters the frame

Pike is reportedly under consideration to play Blaze’s love interest, a role fans have connected to the comics’ Roxanne Simpson. She and Baron Cohen recently starred together in Netflix’s Ladies First, a pairing several outlets have called a possible on-screen reunion.

Casting has not formally begun on the project, and Marvel has offered no confirmation of either actor’s involvement. Kevin Feige declined to detail Gosling’s character further at Comic-Con, saying he would let his star reveal more himself.

A British connection: Baron Cohen’s transformation makes UK headlines

Baron Cohen, who is English, revealed a significant physical transformation for the Mephisto role on the cover of Men’s Fitness U.K., according to a report from AOL, citing Entertainment Weekly. He also told the magazine that short daily workouts can make a meaningful difference for anyone, “especially celebrities with personal assistants.”

Pike, also British, has drawn Oscar recognition for Gone Girl and would bring her own UK profile to the project if cast.

Fast Facts

• Reported role: Mephisto, in a supporting capacity — Source: The InSneider, via SlashFilm
• Ghost Rider release window: 2028 — Source: Murphy’s Multiverse
• Cohen and Pike’s prior collaboration: Netflix’s Ladies First — Source: SlashFilm

Marvel Studios has not confirmed the casting

Ghost Rider follows Marvel’s broader supernatural push, which also touches Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom and the studio’s X-Men reboot casting. The film arrives after Avengers: Doomsday, which is set for release in December 2026.

Filming on Ghost Rider has not begun, and Marvel has yet to confirm any cast member beyond Gosling. Reportedly, additional casting news is expected once production moves closer to its 2028 target.

---

Reported from publicly available interviews and verified press sources. Last reviewed August 9, 2026.