Sacha Baron Cohen Was Almost A Marvel Superhero

If you thought the long and winding story of New Mutants couldn't get any stranger, think again. Though the majorly delayed film is looking at an actual, real, definitely-going-to-stick-this-time release on August 28, new information about the (probably cursed) production keeps trickling in--this time, with what might be the most bonkers superhero casting of all time.

Nerdist reports that director Josh Boone seriously considered bringing comedian Sacha Baron Cohen on board to play Warlock, a character who played a major role in the New Mutants comics but sadly did not end up making the cut in the live action adaptation--though, apparently, Warlock made it through several versions of the script before a final draft was cooked up.

For the uninitiated, Warlock--not to be confused with Adam Warlock, no relation--was a giant robotic alien creature who came from a race called the Technarchy that traveled around the galaxy infecting populations with the techno-organic virus. If you're a fan of characters like Cable, there's a good chance you've heard the term "techno-organic virus" before--it refers to a virus that infects and then drains the life energy out of organic organisms. The Technarchy made their way in the universe by infecting and then sustaining themselves with the virus's energy but Warlock was different--he actually possessed empathy and compassion and was thus regarded as a "mutant" for his race. Long story short, he ended up on Earth and joined up as a core member of the New Mutants.

Had Warlock actually made it to the big screen, Baron Cohen would not have been put on stilts and strapped into a crazy Borg-like costume, however. Boone explained that his ideal take would have made Baron Cohen the "Andy Serkis of Warlock," meaning he would have performed the character to be CGI'd in later, like Serkis's iconic performance of Gollum in the Lord of the Rings movies.

We can't tell if this is the biggest missed opportunity in a superhero movie or a dodged bullet. Maybe it's both.

New Mutants will be coming to theaters on August 28.