Jenna Ortega on Her Small MCU Role: 'All My Lines Were Cut'

Did you know that Jenna Ortega made a brief appearance in Iron Man 3? You might have missed it, but the now 22-year-old star of Netflix's Wednesday and the upcoming Beetlejuice Beetlejuice movie debuted in the film industry at just 11 years old with a minor role in the 2013 blockbuster. In the movie, Ortega plays the daughter of Vice President Rodriguez, portrayed by Miguel Ferrer. During a Christmas family scene, Rodriguez kisses his daughter on the forehead, and the camera pans down to reveal Ortega in a wheelchair, a poignant moment resulting from a lost limb.

Jenna Ortega in Iron Man 3. Image credit: Marvel Studios.

Reflecting on her MCU debut in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ortega humorously noted that her scene was significantly cut down. “I did it once,” she remarked. “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 speculated about her potential return to the franchise. “And so it might very well be that you come back,” Rudd suggested, “that they are going to create something for you, ’cause they should be so lucky to have Jenna Ortega in their franchise.”

Ortega, however, cast doubt on her MCU comeback, stating, “They even took my name away,” and adding, “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 reduced to almost nothing in the final cut of Iron Man 3. Yet, the young actress who appeared in that fleeting scene has since become one of the most recognized stars globally. If Marvel Studios were to consider a new role for Ortega in the MCU, it’s likely she would be open to the idea.

If Jenna Ortega did return to the MCU, which character should she play? Photo by Nina Westervelt/Variety via Getty Images.

Despite being considered one of the weaker entries in the MCU, Iron Man 3 was a massive success at the box office, grossing over $1.2 billion worldwide. It ranks as the ninth highest-grossing superhero film ever, surpassing films like Captain America: Civil War, Spider-Man: Far From Home, and Captain Marvel.

The landscape of superhero films has evolved significantly since Iron Man 3, with modern movies facing greater challenges in achieving similar financial success. If Ortega were to join the current MCU, her star power could potentially boost the franchise's appeal.

So, which character would be the perfect fit for Jenna Ortega in the MCU?