Actor and comedian Sacha Baron Cohen is preparing for a major return to the spotlight in London. He is balancing a theatrical revival of his iconic character Ali G with a leading role in Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming stage production.
According to announcements from October 2026, Amazon MGM Studios is releasing the mockumentary feature Ali G: Who Iz I? in theaters. This brings back the satirical character more than two decades after his initial rise. Simultaneously, sources confirmed that Cohen will star in the title role of The Popinjay Cavalier, marking Academy Award-winning filmmaker Quentin Tarantino’s official directorial debut in the West End.
Ali G Returns in Mockumentary Format for Amazon MGM
The upcoming feature film Ali G: Who Iz I? marks a return to the roots of Cohen’s unscripted mockumentary style, reminiscent of his work in Borat and Brüno. Shot in secret across various international cities, the project serves as Cohen’s feature film directorial debut following his work on the HBO docuseries Who Is America?
Plot details indicate that the film catches up with the street-poser as he attempts to rebuild his former status. He learns his girlfriend Julie, played by Morgana Robinson, is eight months pregnant. The production leans heavily into modern satire, with the character tackling TikTok and modern influencer spaces by tricking unwitting, real-life subjects into believing they are participating in a legitimate documentary.
Ahead of the film’s one-week theatrical release scheduled for October 23, approximately 300 Ali G look-alikes gathered in London to celebrate the character’s return. The stunt followed an unexpected public appearance by Cohen in full character at the Wimbledon finals, where he joked that tennis is “like a crap version of ping-pong.”
Quentin Tarantino Casts Baron Cohen in First Stage Play
While the Ali G film dominates screen schedules, Cohen is also making waves in the theater world. He will star as the lead in The Popinjay Cavalier, Quentin Tarantino’s first-ever stage play.
Produced by Sonia Friedman Productions and Sony Pictures Entertainment, the swashbuckling comedy is slated to open at an unannounced West End venue in spring 2027. Set in 1830s Europe, producers have described the production as a rambunctious comedy of deception and disguise inspired by grand swashbuckling epics.
A Storied Career in Comedy and Satire
These dual projects add to an extensive resume for Cohen. He first gained widespread fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s with Da Ali G Show on Channel 4 in the U.K. and HBO in the U.S. That sketch series introduced global audiences to Ali G, along with breakout characters Borat Sagdiyev and Brüno Gehard.
Over the years, Cohen has earned two BAFTA Awards for his television work, three Academy Award nominations-including writing nods for Borat and Borat Subsequent Moviefilm and an acting nod for The Trial of the Chicago 7-and three Golden Globe wins. More recently, his comedy feature Ladies First secured the top spot globally on Netflix, while his appearance in Balls Up topped the charts on Prime Video.
With a major cinematic release tackling modern internet culture and a historic theatrical collaboration with Quentin Tarantino on the horizon, Cohen’s upcoming slate cements his enduring influence across global comedy, film, and live performance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sacha Baron Cohen’s New Projects
When will Ali G: Who Iz I? be released in theaters?
Amazon MGM Studios scheduled the theatrical release of Ali G: Who Iz I? for October 23.
What is Quentin Tarantino’s stage play called?
Tarantino’s first stage play is titled The Popinjay Cavalier, which is set to open in London’s West End in spring 2027.
Who stars alongside Sacha Baron Cohen in the Ali G movie?
Morgana Robinson stars as Ali G’s girlfriend, Julie, in the mockumentary feature.
Is Ali G: Who Iz I? a fictional narrative film or a mockumentary?
The film uses a mockumentary format, putting the character into unscripted situations with real-life, unwitting individuals, similar to Cohen’s work in the Borat films.
