Sacha Baron Cohen reveals 'Ali G: Who Iz I?' will be his last as he calls such comedy too risky
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Sacha Baron Cohen confirmed in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter that his upcoming movie, ‘Ali G: Who Iz I?’, will be his last in the over-the-top, character-driven comedic style that made him famous.
The 55-year-old actor and comedian explained that his decision reflects both the physical demands of making these films and his concerns about the direction of society.
Sacha Baron Cohen explains why he is stepping away from risky comedies
Cohen said he wants to pursue projects that challenge him, despite acknowledging that making another ‘Borat’ film would also be incredibly challenging. He admitted that he had previously said he was finished with this style of comedy but decided to make his latest movie because he is “terrified of where our society is headed.”
Through his films, Cohen aims to “show the extremism on both sides of the political spectrum and the danger of virtuous violence.” He also said he wanted to create “the funniest film that’s ever been made.”
The actor described these productions as some of the hardest movies to make, explaining that he is concerned about a world increasingly shaped by conspiracy theories and misinformation spread through social media and artificial intelligence.
“If we don’t have these shared facts, then democracies crumble, and we can’t have a tolerant society,” Cohen said, adding that making people laugh can serve as therapy. He first gained attention with ‘Da Ali G Show’ in 2000 before achieving international recognition with ‘Borat’ in 2006.
His subsequent projects included ‘Bruno’, ‘The Dictator’, ‘Who Is America?’, and ‘Borat Subsequent Moviefilm’. Cohen has also taken on dramatic roles in ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’, ‘Les Misérables', and ‘Disclaimer’.
Sacha Baron Cohen details dangerous filming experiences and career achievements
Cohen described his latest film's final scene as an eight-hour continuous sequence spanning 12 locations. Filmed as a continuous shot, the scene featured gunfire, a medical procedure, drones, and explosions in the desert.
While wearing a prosthetic head and a fat suit, Cohen was warned by an experienced stuntman that the conditions could leave him severely dehydrated and hospitalized for two weeks. To manage the physical demands, he hired an endurance specialist who works with Tour de France participants to remain beside him throughout filming.
Despite these precautions, several people were hospitalized for dehydration. Cohen stressed that he would never perform a scene if he believed he could actually die.
Recalling an incident during the first ‘Borat’ film, he explained that he abandoned a scene after learning that a police officer carrying a gun on his thigh could reach him within three minutes. However, he accepted the risks of filming a scene at a gun rights rally for the second ‘Borat’ film, believing the project was important enough to make.
Cohen's willingness to take risks has also brought professional recognition. He received Academy Award nominations for writing ‘Borat’ in 2007 and its sequel in 2021. He also earned an acting nomination for his performance in ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’.
