Sacha Baron Cohen says 'Ali G: Who Iz I?' is his last in this style of comedy, calling them too risky

Sacha Baron Cohen, the 55‑year‑old actor who made his name as a satirical provocateur, said in a recent interview that the forthcoming “Ali G: Who Iz I?” will be the final film in the high‑stakes, character‑driven comedy that brought him worldwide fame. The interview appeared in The Hollywood Reporter, and the actor explained that he is stepping away from that style to pursue new creative challenges.

A career built on extremes

Baron Cohen’s breakthrough came with the 2000 “Da Ali G Show,” which launched his signature blend of absurdity and social commentary. The 2006 release of “Borat” cemented his status as a global cultural force, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Subsequent films—including “Bruno,” “The Dictator,” “Who is America,” and the 2021 “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”—continued the pattern of satirical violence and far‑circuitous humor. In addition to his comedic work, he has taken on dramatic roles in “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” “Les Misérables,” and “Disclaimer.”

Why the last one?

Baron Cohen said the new film would be his last venture into the type of comedy that tests both body and mind. “I want to do stuff that challenges me… again, I’m not doing ‘Borat 3,’ which also would be incredibly challenging. This movie I just did is the most challenging movie I’ve ever done, but I’m not doing more,” he told the reporter.

He explained that the decision was driven by a sense of urgency about the state of society. “I’m terrified of where our society is headed,” he said. “If we don’t have shared facts, then democracies crumble, and we can’t have a tolerant society. And to make people laugh is therapy.” He also added that the film is an attempt to “show the extremism on both sides of the political spectrum and the danger of virtuous violence.”

The stakes on set

Baron Cohen’s description of the final scene of the film highlights the intensity of his craft. “It’s an eight‑hour continuous scene that takes place over 12 locations,” he said. “There’s gunfire in it. There’s a medical procedure. There are drones, there are explosions, and it’s taking place in the desert.” He added that he is wearing a prosthetic head in a fat suit, and that a stuntman warned him that he would end up in the hospital for two weeks if he continued.

Despite the warnings, the actor insisted on strict safety protocols. “We try to limit the risks and keep everybody safe,” he said. He hired an endurance specialist, a professional who has competed in the Tour de France, to accompany him during filming. Nevertheless, a number of crew members went to the hospital with dehydration, he noted.

Baron Cohen stressed that he would never perform a scene he believed could be fatal. “I was about to do a scene in ‘Borat 1’ where a cop had his gun on his thigh and I said, ‘Why is your gun on your thigh?’ He said, ‘Well, I need to be really fast to draw in this area.’ I asked how close he was to me, and he said, ‘I’ll be with you within three minutes.’ I realized that was not a good thing to do, so I pulled that scene,” he recounted. He also admitted to filming a scene at a gun‑rights rally for the second “Borat,” despite the possibility of being shot, describing it as an “important film to be made.”

Awards and recognition

Baron Cohen has earned two Academy Award nominations for writing the original “Borat” (2007) and its sequel (2021). He also received an acting nomination for his role in “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” These accolades underline his versatility across comedy and drama, even as he prepares to move on from the former.

Looking ahead

While the actor confirmed that “Ali G: Who Iz I?” will be his last in the “risky, character‑driven comedic style,” he left open the possibility of new creative directions. “I want to do stuff that challenges me,” he said, hinting at projects that could combine humor with other genres or tackle different kinds of social issues.

For now, fans can expect a final, high‑energy installment that promises to blend the outrageous satire Baron Cohen is known for with a sharper, more reflective take on contemporary politics. As the film moves into production, the world will watch to see how the actor’s final comedic chapter unfolds and what lies next for the provocateur who has spent two decades turning satire into a global phenomenon.