Jenna Ortega's Tiny MCU Role: 'They Cut All My Lines'

Did you know that Jenna Ortega, the star of Netflix's "Wednesday" and the upcoming "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," made her film debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? At just 11 years old, Ortega appeared in a brief but memorable scene in "Iron Man 3." In the film, she plays the daughter of Vice President Rodriguez, portrayed by Miguel Ferrer. The scene captures a tender moment during a Christmas family gathering where Rodriguez 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.

Reflecting on her early role in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ortega humorously recounted how her part was significantly trimmed down. "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, who plays Ant-Man in the MCU, playfully speculated on her future in 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, seemed to cast doubt on any potential return, noting, "They even took my name away," and concluded, "I’m really… but I just… I count that, and then I move on."

Despite the minimal screen time, Ortega's role in "Iron Man 3" marks an interesting footnote in her career, especially given her rise to fame over the subsequent decade. It's fascinating to consider how a role that started as a subplot ended up being overshadowed by her later success.

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

"Iron Man 3" itself, 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. The MCU has evolved significantly since then, and with superhero films facing greater challenges at the box office today, Ortega's involvement could potentially boost interest and revenue.

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