Sacha Baron Cohen’s ‘Ali G: Who Iz I?’ Sets October Release From Amazon MGM
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- Sacha Baron Cohen officially announced 'Ali G: Who Iz I?' on Instagram in character, with Amazon MGM Studios set to release the secret film theatrically on Oct. 23.
- Cohen directed the movie himself, marking his feature directorial debut, having previously only acted in and co-wrote the Borat films.
- Cohen filmed the project covertly, mirroring the hidden-camera approach he used for 2006's 'Borat' and its 2020 sequel.
- Ali G originated on Channel 4's 'The 11 O'Clock Show' in 1998 before spawning 'Da Ali G Show' in the early 2000s and the 2002 film 'Ali G Indahhouse,' directed by Mark Mylod.
- Cohen earned Oscar nominations for best adapted screenplay for both Borat films (2006 and 2020) and a best supporting actor nomination in 2021 for 'The Trial of the Chicago 7.'
- Cohen recently played the demon Mephisto in Marvel's Disney+ series 'Ironheart' and has two 2026 comedies, 'Ladies First' and 'Balls Up,' on his slate.
Why it matters: The Oct. 23 release gives Amazon MGM a late-year comedy counter-programming play built on a character dormant from theatrical screens since 2002. Cohen's directorial debut status means he's now fronting both the performance and creative vision — a notable shift for someone whose previous films he co-wrote but didn't direct.
