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

Did you know that Jenna Ortega, the breakout star of Netflix's Wednesday and the upcoming Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, made her film debut in a minor role in Iron Man 3 back in 2013? At just 11 years old, Ortega appeared in a fleeting scene as the Vice President's daughter, portrayed by Miguel Ferrer. In the scene, set during a Christmas family gathering, Ferrer's character kisses his daughter on the forehead, revealing that she is in a wheelchair due to a lost limb.

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

Fast forward to 2024, and Ortega humorously reflected on her brief stint in the Marvel Cinematic Universe during an interview with Entertainment Weekly. "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 is well-known for his role as Ant-Man in the MCU, playfully suggested that Marvel might create a bigger role for her in the future. "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."

Ortega, however, cast doubt on the possibility, adding, "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 more significant subplot, but it was reduced to nearly nothing in the final cut of Iron Man 3. Despite this, Ortega has since risen to global fame, and if Marvel were to offer her a new role in the MCU, she might certainly give it some thought.

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

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

So, if Jenna Ortega were to make a comeback to the MCU, which character would she be a perfect fit for?