"Hoping to see him make lots of appearances": Ironheart showrunner Chinaka Hodge discusses Mephisto

Ironheart managed to win audiences and critics over to its side with the final three episodes, which were released on July 1, 2025. Of these three, the moment that's being talked about by the internet is the debut of Mephisto, played by British comedic icon Sacha Baron Cohen, who is known for Borat and Da Ali G Show. His small screen time in the sixth episode, "The Past Is the Past", has fans wondering about Cohen's future in the MCU.

On July 1, 2025, Entertainment Weekly sat down for an interview with Chinaka Hodge, who served as the showrunner of the six-episode miniseries. There, Hodge was asked by Entertainment Weekly writer Sydney Bucksbaum if Mephisto's inclusion in Ironheart was something that was mandated by Marvel Studios or if it was her choice. Chinaka Hodge's answer to this question was:

"That's a really great question. I wish I could answer it more plainly. It was not my decision alone. I was empowered by Marvel to make that decision... I don't know what will happen next with the character or with Sasha in the MCU. But as a fan, I'm really hoping to see him make lots of appearances."

Explaining the Ironheart showrunner's comments:

Based on Hodge's comments, it may look like nothing is official on the surface level. However, considering Sacha Baron Cohen's popularity, it is highly unlikely that Sacha Baron Cohen's appearance in Ironheart Episode 6 is his first and final one. Thus, it is likely that we will meet Cohen's Mephisto probably after the next two Avengers projects, as the MCU will possibly be rebooted.

It must be noted that the closing minutes of the Ironheart finale did set up Cohen's involvement in a possible season 2 as Riri makes a deal with Mephisto.

Explaining the ending of the Disney+ Marvel series:

Riri tricks Parker Robbins with the help of a holographic projection and takes off the cursed hood, which is confirmed to belong to Mephisto in the sixth episode. As Riri is about to leave the gang's headquarters, she comes across the bearded figure having food. Riri identifies that this unnamed figure is the man who gave Parker the magical hood when he uses magic in front of her.

However, Riri mistakenly calls the man in front of him Dormamu, which he first laughs off, and then goes on to give her his real name: Mephisto. After revealing his name, the devil tries to convince Riri to make a deal with him in exchange for resurrecting Natalie. A deal that Riri takes as we see scars similar to the ones on Parker's body forming on the former's hands in the last scene of the finale.

Actress Dominique Thorne addressed Riri's decision to make a deal with Mephisto in the same Entertainment Weekly interview:

"It just helped to reinforce what we've been seeing from Riri since Wakanda Forever, which is that she's not majorly committed to this superhero mantle. It's not something that she goes out chasing or seeking, but it's something that she has to think her way through and figure out and really make conscious choices at every major turning point until she gets to the truth of who she is and who therefore who Ironheart will be. That last moment brings it all home, boils it all down, and reiterates what we've been seeing since we've met Riri Williams, which is you have all this brilliance, you have all this potential, and you need to make a choice."

All six episodes of Ironheart are available to stream on Disney+.

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Edited by Ravikumar N