You might not remember seeing Jenna Ortega in Iron Man 3, and that's understandable given her fleeting appearance. The now 22-year-old star, known for her roles in Netflix’s Wednesday series and the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice movie, made her film debut at the tender age of 11 in 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 function, after a tense phone call with Iron Man, Rodriguez kisses his daughter on the forehead. The camera then pans down to reveal that Ortega's character is in a wheelchair, having lost a limb.
Reflecting on her brief stint in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) 12 years after Iron Man 3's release, Ortega shared her experience with Entertainment Weekly. She humorously noted that her role was significantly cut down. "I did it once," Ortega 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 co-star in Death of a Unicorn, Paul Rudd, who is well-known for portraying Ant-Man in the MCU, playfully suggested that Marvel might have bigger 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 to cast doubt on the likelihood of a return, humorously adding, "They even took my name away," she interjected. "I’m really… but I just… I count that, and then I move on." Ortega's role, initially perhaps intended as a subplot, was reduced to almost nothing in the final cut of Iron Man 3. Yet, the child actor who played that role has since risen to become one of the most recognized faces in entertainment. Should Marvel Studios consider her for a new role in the MCU, there's no doubt she would give it serious consideration.
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 MCU landscape has evolved significantly since then, with superhero movies facing greater challenges to achieve similar financial success. If Ortega were to join the current MCU lineup, her star power could potentially boost the franchise's fortunes.
The question remains: which character would Jenna Ortega be the perfect fit for in the MCU?
