2Actress Jenna Ortega has taken the world of Hollywood by storm, especially in the last couple of years.
Jenna Ortega discovered her passion for acting at a young age and began her career with small roles in television shows such as Rob and CSI: NY. However, her breakthrough came when she landed the role of Tara Carpenter in the horror film Scream (2022). This marked a significant milestone in her career as she joined the iconic franchise, showcasing her versatility and ability to take on diverse roles, and spawned a second installment, Scream VI (2023), which also saw her receive critical acclaim.
Undoubtedly, Jenna Ortega’s most iconic role to date is her portrayal of Wednesday Addams in the Netflix television series Wednesday. Bringing a fresh and modern take to the classic character, Ortega’s performance garnered widespread praise, solidifying her status as a rising star in the entertainment industry. Ortega is set to rejoin Tim Burton for a second season of the beloved show, which is going to begin filming in early 2024 in Ireland. There are hopes from fans that Wednesday Season 2 might be released towards the end of 2024, but nothing has been confirmed on this front.
Beyond her roles in Scream and Wednesday, Jenna Ortega has continuously demonstrated her commitment to her craft. Her talent, combined with a strong work ethic, has made her a sought-after actress in the industry. Though she is leaving the Scream franchise behind after reportedly asking for more money to return for Scream 7, the future is bright for the young actress. She is playing Lydia’s daughter in Warner Bros.’ Beetlejuice 2 alongside the returning producer Tim Burton, as well as iconic actors Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder.
As she continues to move up the ladder in Hollywood, Jenna Ortega just saw another major accomplishment. The beloved actress was mentioned as the top up-and-coming name in the industry in Forbes 30 Under 30. The list included names like Molly Gordon, Cailee Spaeny, Noah Schnapp, Rachel Sennott, Andrew Feldman, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Haley Lu Richardson, and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan. Discussing film shared this list, which has included names like Rachel Zegler, Margot Robbie, Sabrina Carpenter, and many others in the past.
Actors included in this year’s Forbes 30 Under 30:
• Jenna Ortega
• Molly Gordon
• Cailee Spaeny
• Noah Schnapp
• Rachel Sennott
• Andrew Feldman
• Jasmin Savoy Brown
• Haley Lu Richardson
• Maitreyi Ramakrishnan(Source: https://t.co/Vq7d9lyDL4) pic.twitter.com/I7jBsWqag4
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) November 28, 2023
Now, Ortega has her sights set on replacing Dwayne Johnson.
Before entering the world of acting, Dwayne Johnson gained fame as a professional wrestler in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE). His wrestling career, which began in the mid-1990s, saw him become a key figure in the “Attitude Era,” captivating audiences with his electrifying charisma and unmatched athleticism. The Rock’s signature catchphrases and larger-than-life persona made him a fan favorite, and his success in the ring laid the foundation for his transition into Hollywood.
Dwayne Johnson’s foray into acting commenced in the early 2000s, with his debut in The Mummy Returns (2001) and its spinoff The Scorpion King (2002). While these films marked his entry into acting, it was his role as Luke Hobbs in the Fast & Furious franchise that truly catapulted him into mainstream success. The character’s popularity led to Johnson’s recurring role in subsequent installments, contributing significantly to the franchise’s box-office success.
Known for his dynamic on-screen presence and diverse range of roles, Johnson has seamlessly transitioned between genres, showcasing his versatility as an actor. From action-packed blockbusters like San Andreas (2015) to family-friendly fare like Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017), Johnson’s ability to appeal to a broad audience has solidified his status as a bankable star in Hollywood. As a matter of fact, Johnson has been one of the highest-paid stars in all of Hollywood.
While they came to Hollywood on two different paths, Ortega and Dwayne Johnson are very much alike. After The Rock debuted in The Mummy Returns, he quickly catapulted to become one of the top stars in the industry. He portrayed roles in family-friendly movies, as well as action films. Ultimately, in just the blink of an eye, he became one of the most recognizable faces in all of Hollywood. Ortega is now on the same trajectory.
Despite Ortega only having a handful of roles at the young age of 21, she has already become more-searched on trends than Dwayne Johnson. While she still has a long way to go to catch Dwayne Johnson in terms of popularity, she has taken on the role that he was owned in terms of being the most promising star in the industry.
Just like Dwayne Johnson in the early 2000s, every single movie studio wants to work with Jenna Ortega. There are projects being developed with the actress in mind, and while she won’t be able to do every single one, she is going to be at the top of the box office for a long time. That, coupled with the success she’s going to see in the streaming industry with her Netflix show, illustrates why she has essentially become “the next Dwayne Johnson.”
Ortega has been compared to Johnny Depp quite a bit over the course of her young career, and that’s fair, especially considering her early work with Tim Burton, but it took a little bit of time before Johnny Depp became a household name. Ortega, on the other hand, has already quickly become a household name, just like the meteoric rise of Dwayne Johnson, only she is about 10 years younger.
What do you think of Jenna Ortega being the next major star in Hollywood? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments!