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

Remember seeing Jenna Ortega in Iron Man 3? You might have missed her brief appearance, as the now 22-year-old star of Netflix's Wednesday and the upcoming Beetlejuice Beetlejuice made her film debut at the age of 11 in a minor role back in 2013. In the movie, Ortega plays the wheelchair-bound daughter of Vice President Rodriguez, portrayed by Miguel Ferrer. The scene captures a tender moment where Rodriguez kisses his daughter on the forehead during a Christmas family event, subtly revealing her condition to the audience.

Now, 12 years after Iron Man 3's release, Ortega was quizzed by Entertainment Weekly about her foray into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She humorously recounted her experience, noting that her lines were significantly cut down. "I did it once," Ortega said. "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 still have plans for her. "And so it might very well be that you come back," Rudd said, "that they are going to create something for you, 'cause they should be so lucky to have Jenna Ortega in their franchise."

However, Ortega seemed doubtful about a return, reflecting on her experience by saying, "They even took my name away," she interjected. "I’m really… but I just… I count that, and then I move on." It's clear that her role, initially perhaps intended as a subplot, was reduced to almost nothing in the final cut of the film. Yet, Ortega has since risen to global fame, and if Marvel were to offer her a new role in the MCU, she would likely give it serious consideration.

Iron Man 3 itself, while considered one of the weaker entries in the MCU, was a massive box office success, grossing over $1.2 billion worldwide and ranking as the ninth highest-grossing superhero film of all time. It outperformed films like Captain America: Civil War, Spider-Man: Far From Home, and Captain Marvel. The landscape of superhero movies has evolved significantly since then, and with Ortega's rising star power, her potential return could be a significant boost for the MCU.

If Jenna Ortega were to return to the MCU, which character would she be a perfect fit for? Her versatility and popularity make her a valuable asset to any franchise, and Marvel would be wise to consider her for a role that could showcase her talents and captivate audiences once again.