Do you remember seeing Jenna Ortega in Iron Man 3? You might be forgiven for missing her brief appearance, where she played a young girl in a wheelchair during a pivotal scene. At just 11 years old, Ortega made her film debut in this 2013 Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) blockbuster.
In the film, during a Christmas family function, Vice President Rodriguez, played by Miguel Ferrer, shares a heartfelt moment with his daughter—Ortega's character—kissing her on the forehead. The camera then pans down to reveal that she is in a wheelchair, having lost a limb.
Now, 12 years after Iron Man 3 hit theaters, Ortega, the 22-year-old star of Netflix's Wednesday series and the upcoming Beetlejuice Beetlejuice movie, reflected on her MCU cameo in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. She humorously noted that her role was significantly reduced in the final cut.
“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 Death of a Unicorn co-star Paul Rudd, who portrays Ant-Man in the MCU, playfully speculated about the possibility of Ortega returning to the franchise, suggesting that Marvel might create a more substantial role 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.”
Ortega, however, cast doubt on a potential return, humorously noting, “They even took my name away,” and expressing a pragmatic outlook, saying, “I just… I count that, and then I move on.”
Originally, Ortega’s role might have been more significant, but it was ultimately trimmed down for the theatrical release. It’s fascinating to think that this child actor, whose part was nearly non-existent, has since become one of the most recognized actors globally.
Despite being considered one of the weaker entries in the MCU, Iron Man 3 was a massive commercial success, grossing $1.2 billion worldwide and ranking as the ninth highest-grossing superhero film ever, outperforming movies like Captain America: Civil War, Spider-Man: Far From Home, and Captain Marvel.
In today's MCU landscape, where superhero films face stiffer competition at the box office, Ortega's potential return could be a significant draw. If Marvel were to bring her back, which character would she be best suited to play?
