Do you remember seeing Jenna Ortega in Iron Man 3? You'd be forgiven for missing her brief appearance, as the now 22-year-old star of Netflix's Wednesday and the upcoming Beetlejuice Beetlejuice movie had a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment in the 2013 film. Ortega, who was just 11 at the time, made her film debut in a minor role where she played the daughter of Vice President Rodriguez, portrayed by Miguel Ferrer. In the scene, Rodriguez kisses his daughter on the forehead during a Christmas family gathering. The camera then pans down to reveal Ortega in a wheelchair, having lost a limb.
Her Death of a Unicorn co-star Paul Rudd, known for playing 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."
Ortega, however, cast doubt on her return, adding, "They even took my name away," she interjected. "I'm really… but I just… I count that, and then I move on." Despite her minor role, Ortega's career has soared since, making her one of the most recognizable actors today.
In retrospect, Ortega's part was likely intended to be more substantial but was reduced in the final cut of Iron Man 3. Had Marvel Studios envisioned a new role for her in the current MCU landscape, it's likely she would consider it, given her rising star power.
The MCU has evolved significantly since 2013, and superhero films now face greater challenges in achieving blockbuster status. If Ortega were to join the current MCU, her star power could potentially boost its box office performance. The question remains: which character would be the perfect fit for her?
