Jenna Ortega is having a moment unlike any other. With Wednesday making her a household name and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) securing her place as Tim Burton’s muse, she’s become a force in Hollywood. Fans have been wondering if she’ll join the Marvel universe, and the truth is, she already has.
Ortega has an official MCU credit, which could mean far more than fans think.
From Early Roles to Worldwide Fame
Ortega started acting as a child, slowly building up experience in TV and film. Her determination and range caught the attention of casting directors, and by the time she entered her late teens, she was already carving out a niche as a horror star.
X (2022) showed her edge, Scream (2022) and Scream VI (2023) confirmed her as horror’s newest scream queen, and Wednesday launched her into another stratosphere entirely. Suddenly, Ortega wasn’t just a rising talent—she was a global star.
Ortega's Marvel Role
Back in 2013, Ortega made her MCU debut in Iron Man 3. She played the daughter of Vice President Rodriguez in a short holiday party scene, but the role was trimmed down significantly before release.
“I’m in Iron Man 3 for a quick second,” she joked in an interview. “They took all my lines out. I take up the frame, I have one leg, and I’m the vice president’s daughter.” She added with a laugh, “They even took my name away… I count that, and then I move on.”
Teasing a Bigger Future
The story resurfaced while Ortega promoted Death of a Unicorn (2025) alongside Paul Rudd. Rudd, of course, plays Ant-Man in the MCU and teased that Ortega’s Marvel story might not be over: “They should be so lucky to have Jenna Ortega in their franchise.”
Fans latched onto the idea, wondering if Marvel might give Ortega a new role now that she’s one of the most in-demand actors in the industry.
Iron Man 3: A Billion-Dollar Film With Mixed Reviews
It’s ironic that Ortega’s small MCU role came in Iron Man 3, a film that critics often rank lower in Marvel’s lineup. Despite its reputation, it earned $1.2 billion globally, proving audiences still showed up in droves. For Ortega, though, the film offered little more than a cameo in a blockbuster that nearly erased her contribution.
From Forgotten Role to Leading Lady
Thankfully, Ortega didn’t need Marvel to make her a star. Wednesday became one of Netflix’s most popular shows, and her sharp, deadpan performance made her unforgettable. With Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and another season of Wednesday on the way, she’s proven she can anchor major franchises on her own.
That success has fans wondering—if Marvel did invite her back, what character could she take on? Whatever the case, Ortega’s story proves that even the most minor role can come full circle.
