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

Do you remember seeing Jenna Ortega in Iron Man 3? You'd be forgiven for missing her brief appearance in the film. The 22-year-old star, known for her roles in Netflix's Wednesday and the upcoming Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, made her film debut at the age of 11 in a minor role in the 2013 blockbuster. In Iron Man 3, Ortega plays the daughter of Vice President Rodriguez, portrayed by Miguel Ferrer. During a Christmas family scene, the Vice President kisses his daughter on the forehead, and the camera pans down to reveal her in a wheelchair, having lost a limb.

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

Now, 12 years after the film's release, Ortega humorously reflected on her MCU cameo in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. She mentioned that her lines were cut, leaving her with a fleeting moment on screen. "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 Death of a Unicorn co-star Paul Rudd, who plays 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."

Casting doubt on the possibility, Ortega concluded her reflection on Iron Man 3: "They even took my name away," she interjected. "I'm really... but I just... I count that, and then I move on." Ah well.

In truth, Ortega was cast as a child actor in a role that was likely intended to be a subplot but was significantly reduced in the final cut of the film. It's fascinating to consider that this young actress, who had a minor role in Iron Man 3, has since become one of the most recognized actors globally. If Marvel Studios were to offer Ortega a new role in the MCU, it's likely she would consider it.

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

While Iron Man 3 is often ranked among the weaker entries in the MCU, it was a massive commercial success, grossing $1.2 billion worldwide and ranking as the ninth highest-grossing superhero film of all time, surpassing films like Captain America: Civil War, Spider-Man: Far From Home, and Captain Marvel.

The MCU has evolved significantly since 2013, and superhero films now face greater challenges in achieving similar box office success. If Ortega were to join the current MCU lineup, her star power could potentially boost Marvel's fortunes.

But which character would she be a perfect fit for?