Jenna Ortega, known for her roles in Wednesday, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and Scream, recently looked back on her early acting days, recalling her brief appearance in Iron Man 3. During an interview with Entertainment Tonight alongside co-star Paul Rudd, the actress reflected on the experience and why she considers it a minor footnote in her career.
A Forgotten MCU Appearance
Ortega, 22, revealed that one of her first Hollywood jobs was a small role in Iron Man 3 (2013), in which she played the vice president’s daughter. However, her appearance was largely cut from the final version of the film. “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 co-star Paul Rudd, a mainstay of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Ant-Man, suggested that Marvel has a habit of leaving narrative “bread crumbs” and could bring her back into the franchise. “They should be so lucky to have Jenna Ortega in their franchise,” he said. However, Ortega was less optimistic. “They even took my name away,” she responded. “I count that, then I move on.”
A Rising Hollywood Star
Despite her fleeting Marvel experience, Ortega has since carved out a successful career. She gained widespread acclaim for her lead role in Netflix’s Wednesday and has appeared in hit films such as The Fallout, X, and Scream. Looking ahead, she will reprise her role in Wednesday Season 2 and star in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Taika Waititi’s adaptation of Klara and the Sun, and The Weeknd’s upcoming feature Hurry Up Tomorrow. Additionally, she is in talks to lead a Single White Female remake and will star alongside Natalie Portman in The Gallerist.
While her Iron Man 3 role may have been brief, Ortega’s career continues to soar, proving that early setbacks in Hollywood don’t define an actor’s journey.