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

Did you know that Jenna Ortega, the star of Netflix's Wednesday and the upcoming Beetlejuice Beetlejuice movie, made her film debut in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it scene in Iron Man 3? At just 11 years old, Ortega appeared in a minor role as the daughter of Vice President Rodriguez, played by Miguel Ferrer. In the film, during a Christmas family function, Rodriguez kisses his daughter on the forehead, and the camera pans down to reveal she is in a wheelchair due to a lost limb.

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

Now, over a decade later, Ortega humorously reflected on her brief stint in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) during an interview with Entertainment Weekly. "I did it once," she 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, known for playing Ant-Man in the MCU, playfully suggested that Marvel might still have plans for her character. "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, seemed less optimistic, adding, "They even took my name away," she interjected. "I’m really… but I just… I count that, and then I move on."

Despite her minor role, Ortega's appearance in Iron Man 3 is a notable footnote in her career, especially since she has since become one of the most famous actors globally. If Marvel were to consider bringing her back to the MCU, it's clear she'd at least entertain the idea.

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 commercial success, grossing $1.2 billion globally 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. Given the current challenges in the superhero movie market, Ortega's potential return to the MCU could be a significant boost for Marvel.

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