Ali G returns to the big screen as Sacha Baron Cohen unveils secret project

Sacha Baron Cohen is bringing back one of his most iconic characters with Ali G: Who Iz I?, a new documentary-style comedy film set to arrive in theaters on October 23 from Amazon MGM Studios.

The upcoming Ali G: Who Iz I? movie marks Cohen’s feature directorial debut and was filmed secretly in a style similar to his previous projects Borat and Borat Subsequent Movie Film. Cohen announced the film through an Instagram video while fully in character as Ali G, teasing fans with the character’s signature humour and exaggerated slang.

According to Variety, Cohen secretly shot the project while portraying Ali G, the fictional London personality he first introduced on Channel 4’s The 11 O’Clock Show in 1998. The character later became the focus of Da Ali G Show in the early 2000s and the 2002 comedy film Ali G Indahouse.

The new movie will reportedly follow Ali G as he interacts with real people, continuing the comedian’s trademark style of placing his fictional characters into unexpected and awkward situations. Over the years, Cohen’s Ali G persona has interviewed several public figures, including Noam Chomsky, Andy Rooney and Newt Gingrich.

Beyond his work as Ali G and Borat, Cohen recently appeared as Mephisto in Marvel’s Disney+ series Ironheart. He has also starred in recent comedy projects and received multiple Academy Award nominations, including recognition for his writing on Borat Subsequent Movie Film.

With Ali G: Who Iz I?, Sacha Baron Cohen is set to revisit the character that helped launch his international comedy career while bringing a new chapter of his controversial humour to audiences.