Did you know that Jenna Ortega, the star of Netflix's "Wednesday" and the upcoming "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" movie, made her film debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? At just 11 years old, Ortega appeared in a minor role in "Iron Man 3" in 2013. Her scene is brief but memorable: during a Christmas family function, Vice President Rodriguez, played by Miguel Ferrer, kisses his daughter on the forehead. The camera then pans down to reveal Ortega in a wheelchair, having lost a limb.
Jenna Ortega in Iron Man 3. Image credit: Marvel Studios.
Reflecting on her MCU debut 12 years later in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ortega humorously remarked, “I did it once. It was one of the first jobs I ever did. They took all my lines out. I’m in Iron Man 3 for a quick second. I take up the frame, I have one leg and I’m the vice president’s daughter.”
Her "Death of a Unicorn" co-star Paul Rudd, who plays Ant-Man in the MCU, playfully suggested that Marvel might create a bigger role for her in the future, saying, “And so it might very well be that you come back, that they are going to create something for you, ’cause they should be so lucky to have Jenna Ortega in their franchise.”
Ortega, however, seemed less optimistic about a return, stating, “They even took my name away. I’m really… but I just… I count that, and then I move on.”
Originally, Ortega's role might have been intended as a subplot, but it was significantly reduced in the final cut of "Iron Man 3." Despite this, Ortega has since risen to become one of the most recognized actors globally. If Marvel were to offer her a new role in the MCU, it's likely she would consider it.
If Jenna Ortega did return to the MCU, which character should she play? Photo by Nina Westervelt/Variety via Getty Images.
"Iron Man 3" may be considered one of the weaker entries in the MCU, but it was a massive success at the box office, grossing $1.2 billion worldwide. It ranks as the ninth highest-grossing superhero film of all time, surpassing films like "Captain America: Civil War," "Spider-Man: Far From Home," and "Captain Marvel."
The MCU has evolved significantly since 2013, and superhero movies now face greater challenges in achieving similar box office success. If Ortega were to join the current MCU, her star power could potentially boost Marvel's fortunes. The question remains: which character would she be a perfect fit for?
