Sacha Baron Cohen rules out Borat 3: “I really have had enough”
After his Ali G movie, Sacha Baron Cohen doesn’t plan to return as Borat or Bruno — so don’t hold your breath for Borat 3 or Bruno 2.
So, here we are again: Sacha Baron Cohen has just wrapped up yet another undercover caper, and now he says he’s ready to hang up the tracksuit — for good this time. If you were pinning your hopes on Borat popping up for a third round, or Bruno strutting his stuff again, brace yourself for disappointment. Cohen's latest outing, Ali G: Who Iz I?, is apparently his final curtain call when it comes to his infamous guerrilla comedy shtick.
“So again, I’m not doing Borat 3, which also would be incredibly challenging.”
That’s Cohen, straight to the point, when Hollywood Reporter pressed him about the future of his mockumentary characters. He didn’t just say no — he basically insisted we shouldn’t be keeping our fingers crossed or waiting for a surprise encore. He admits the latest film took a toll on him; in fact, he calls it the most challenging he’s ever put together. He’s adamant: there are no secret plans to revisit Borat or Bruno, and he’d rather not be held to this promise (but, let’s be honest, it’s Sacha Baron Cohen — we’re still writing it down).
Why Say Goodbye Now?
It’s not just that he’s bored of doing the same gags. Cohen explained the harsh reality of working in this genre: it’s a nightmare keeping things undercover when half the world recognises your face (or your character’s dodgy accent). He pointed out it’s nearly impossible to secure genuine reactions anymore, because most people now realise Borat and co. aren’t real blokes — the surprise is gone, and the risk is higher every time.
“No, no, I really have had enough. I know you don’t believe me.”
The job isn’t just difficult — it’s dangerous. Cohen admits there’s been proper backlash, even death threats, over the years. As he put it, he’s starting to think his luck might eventually run out. When you reach the point where you’ve risked life and limb (for comedy, no less) and can’t even catch people off-guard anymore, you have to wonder if it’s all getting too risky — even for someone with nerves like Cohen’s.
Comedy as a Weapon
Still, there’s another reason Cohen kept making these films for so long: he genuinely sees comedy as a way to poke at society’s weak spots. Even now, he’s clearly worried about where things are headed politically. The most revealing bit? He’s not doing it just for laughs anymore — he wants to shine a torch into society’s darker corners, calling out extremism wherever he sees it. Despite everything, he’s still using humour to tackle big, uncomfortable issues, from the violent fringes of politics to the rise of ‘virtuous violence’ (his words, not mine).
Ali G: Who Iz I? marks Sacha Baron Cohen's reported final foray into undercover prank comedy, with Borat 3 and Bruno 2 firmly off the table.