Sacha Baron Cohen Ends Risky Comedy Style With New Ali G Film

Sacha Baron Cohen plans to leave behind the provocative, character-driven comedy that established his career after completing his latest film, Ali G: Who Iz I?. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the 55-year-old actor explained that the physically demanding production and growing concerns about misinformation and political extremism influenced his decision to stop making films in this style.

Cohen said he would not pursue a third Borat movie, despite acknowledging that such a project would present significant creative challenges. He described his latest production as the most challenging film he has ever made, marking what he considers the end of this particular phase of his career.

The actor previously considered stepping away from this form of comedy but returned to the character after becoming increasingly concerned about society's direction. He said his films aim to expose extremism across the political spectrum and examine the dangers of violence justified by moral convictions.

Cohen explained that his concerns extend to conspiracy theories and false information circulating on social media and through artificial intelligence. He argued that democratic societies depend on shared facts and that comedy can provide a form of relief amid these pressures.

He described the production process as unusually difficult, with physical demands and safety risks affecting both performers and crew members. Cohen said the team worked to minimize those risks while protecting everyone involved.

The final scene of Ali G: Who Iz I? involved an eight-hour continuous sequence across 12 locations. According to Cohen, the scene incorporated gunfire, a medical procedure, drones and explosions in a desert setting, requiring extensive coordination and physical endurance.

Before filming, Cohen consulted an experienced stunt performer who warned that wearing a prosthetic head and a fat suit under desert conditions could cause severe dehydration. The actor subsequently hired an endurance specialist with experience supporting competitors in the Tour de France to remain nearby during production.

Despite those precautions, Cohen said several people were hospitalized for dehydration. He maintained that he would not perform a scene if he believed it posed a genuine risk of death.

He recalled removing a scene from the first Borat film after a conversation with a police officer raised concerns about how quickly the officer could draw his firearm. Cohen decided the potential danger made the scene unsuitable for filming.

However, he accepted a different risk while filming a scene at a gun rights rally for Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, believing the project was important enough to justify proceeding.

Cohen first gained widespread attention through Da Ali G Show in 2000 before reaching an international audience with Borat in 2006. His subsequent projects included Bruno, The Dictator, Who Is America? and Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, alongside dramatic performances in The Trial of the Chicago 7, Les Misérables and Disclaimer.

His work has also earned recognition from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Cohen received writing nominations for Borat and its sequel in 2007 and 2021, respectively, as well as an acting nomination for The Trial of the Chicago 7.