Is Jenna Ortega Really ‘Moved On’ From Marvel After Appearing In “Iron Man 3”, What’s The Story Behind?

If you blinked, you might have missed Jenna Ortega’s quick cameo in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in Iron Man 3. The rising star, now well-known for her roles in Wednesday and Scream, revealed in a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight that she was once part of the MCU, though her role was so brief it flew under the radar for most fans.

A Blink-and-You’ll-Miss-It Cameo

Ortega shared the surprising tidbit during her chat with ET when the interviewer suggested she should join the MCU in a larger capacity. “I did it once,” she said casually, surprising fans who didn’t realize she had ever appeared in the franchise.

It turns out, Ortega’s role in Iron Man 3 was more of a blink-and-you-miss-it moment. She played the Vice President’s daughter in a small scene, but according to her, all of her lines were cut. “I’m in Iron Man 3 for a quick second,” she explained. “I take up the frame, I have one leg, and I’m the vice president’s daughter.” So, while Ortega technically made an appearance in the blockbuster film, it was far from the spotlight.

From Small Beginnings to Big Stardom

Ortega’s role in Iron Man 3 was one of her first acting gigs, and she admits it wasn’t exactly what she had hoped for. “They took all my lines out,” she shared with a laugh. Despite this, she doesn’t seem to harbor any hard feelings about the experience. The 21-year-old actress now has a thriving career, with her breakout role as Wednesday Addams in Netflix’s Wednesday and her iconic part in the Scream franchise.

It’s fascinating to think about how her’s journey from a small role in a global MCU film to a major television and film star has unfolded. Her appearance in Iron Man 3 may have been minor, but her rise to fame since then has been anything but small.

Paul Rudd’s Optimistic Vision for Ortega’s Future in Marvel

During the interview, Ant-Man star Paul Rudd, who was sitting alongside Ortega, expressed his hope that the actress would one day return to the MCU in a bigger role. “Marvel is very good at like, kind of laying those breadcrumbs,” Rudd said, referencing how Marvel often introduces characters in small ways, setting them up for more significant parts in later films.

Rudd seemed hopeful that the MCU would find a way to bring Ortega back into the fold. “It might very well be that you come back. They are going to create something for you, cause they should be so lucky to have Jenna Ortega in their franchise,” he said, praising Ortega’s acting talents.

Despite Rudd’s enthusiasm, Ortega seemed skeptical about the idea, playfully responding, “They even took my name away. I count that, then I move on.” It’s clear that Ortega is keeping her expectations in check, though she did seem open to the idea of a future return to the MCU, should the opportunity arise.

Iron Man 3’s Major Success

For context, Iron Man 3 was a huge hit at the box office, grossing over $1.2 billion worldwide. It was a critical part of the MCU’s success and helped propel the franchise into even greater heights. The movie, starring Robert Downey Jr., Guy Pearce, Ben Kingsley, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Don Cheadle, focuses on Tony Stark as he faces off against the Mandarin, a terrorist villain who turns out to be a fake. While Ortega’s role was tiny, it’s clear that Iron Man 3 was a major stepping stone for many involved in the film, from actors to the expanding MCU universe itself.

Will We See Jenna Ortega Again in the MCU?

While Ortega may not have had much screen time in Iron Man 3, there’s always the possibility she could return to the MCU in the future. Marvel is known for revisiting characters and introducing new ones, and with Ortega’s growing popularity, it’s not out of the question that she could make a splash in a bigger role down the road. Whether that means returning to her original character or playing a new one is anyone’s guess, but the potential is definitely there.

For now, Ortega seems content to keep pushing forward in her career, whether or not it includes another Marvel role. But as Rudd said, the MCU is excellent at creating opportunities, so we may just see Ortega back on the big screen in the Marvel universe sooner than we think.