Credit: Marvel Studios / NetflixJenna Ortega is on fire in Hollywood right now. Fresh off her success with Wednesday and her return to Tim Burton’s world in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024), she’s become one of the most talked-about stars of her generation. Fans have been wondering what franchise Ortega will take on next, and the answer might be the biggest one of them all: Marvel.
Yes, Ortega has an official role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s not speculation, it’s not rumor—it’s fact. And while the part may not be what audiences expect, it connects her to Marvel in a way that raises more questions than answers—and could set the stage for something much bigger.
From Child Actor to Global Celebrity
Ortega’s career began when she was still a child, racking up credits in television and film that laid the foundation for what would come later. She worked steadily through her teens, but her true breakout didn’t come until adulthood.
Horror fans quickly claimed her as a modern “scream queen” after her performances in Scream (2022) and Scream VI (2023). She even added to her résumé with a role in X (2022), proving she wasn’t afraid to take on edgy projects. Then came the career-defining moment: stepping into the role of Wednesday Addams for Netflix. The show became a global phenomenon, catapulting Ortega into the spotlight almost overnight.
With Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) and Wednesday season 2 (2025) bringing her back into Tim Burton’s gothic playground, Ortega has firmly cemented herself as one of the most bankable stars of her generation.
Ortega’s MCU Debut
But years before her career took off, Ortega quietly appeared in Iron Man 3. Cast at just 11 years old, she played the daughter of Vice President Rodriguez in a short holiday party scene. The camera revealed her in a wheelchair after her on-screen father shared a warm family moment. It was intended to add context to the character, but all of Ortega’s lines were cut before the film hit theaters.
Reflecting on that experience in a recent interview, Ortega joked: “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 comments were lighthearted but pointed to how Marvel nearly erased her from the film. In fact, as she put it, “They even took my name away… I count that, and then I move on.”
A Teasy Marvel Interview
The subject came up while Ortega was promoting Death of a Unicorn (2025), where she stars alongside Paul Rudd—ironically, one of Marvel’s most recognizable faces as Ant-Man. Rudd, never one to miss a chance to tease, suggested Marvel might want to revisit Ortega’s MCU connection. “It might very well be that you come back,” he said. “They should be so lucky to have Jenna Ortega in their franchise.”
It was a playful moment, but it planted a seed: now that Ortega is a major star, why wouldn’t Marvel consider giving her a bigger role? Fans already love her for her gothic, witty performances—traits that could translate perfectly into any number of Marvel characters.
Iron Man 3’s Mixed Legacy
The irony of Ortega’s forgotten MCU role is that Iron Man 3 wasn’t exactly beloved. While the film grossed an astounding $1.2 billion worldwide, making it one of Marvel’s top-earning releases, critics and fans have long considered it one of the weaker installments.
So here was Ortega, part of a billion-dollar juggernaut, but unable to leverage the moment into the breakthrough she deserved. Instead, Marvel cut her lines, stripped away her character’s name, and moved on. It was little more than a blink of opportunity for a young actress.
Redemption Through Wednesday
Of course, Ortega has since turned that missed chance into fuel for success. When Wednesday hit Netflix, the show became one of the platform’s most-watched series, breaking records and igniting worldwide fan obsession. Ortega’s performance—deadpan, sharp, and laced with dark humor—proved she could carry a franchise on her own.
That success has done what Marvel didn’t give her in 2013: establish her as a household name. Instead of being “the vice president’s daughter” with no lines, she is now the face of one of pop culture’s most iconic characters.
Could Marvel Come Calling Again?
With Ortega’s career soaring, the question arises: could she return to the MCU in a more meaningful role? Technically, she already has an official spot in the universe. But Marvel has never been shy about recasting actors in new roles, especially when the original was small.
Her current momentum would make her an appealing choice for Marvel executives looking to revitalize the franchise. After all, Ortega’s projects consistently generate buzz. If she joined the MCU today, it wouldn’t be as a background character but as a star.
Fans have even begun speculating about who she could play. Could she bring a fresh spin to a beloved comic book character? While Ortega hasn’t committed to the idea, she’s left the door open: “I did it once,” she said of Iron Man 3. “And then I move on.”
A Full-Circle Moment
If Marvel gave Ortega a real chance, it would be a full-circle story: the girl who once had her lines cut from Iron Man 3 returning as one of the franchise’s marquee names. It would also be poetic justice for an actress who has built her career without relying on Marvel’s machine, only to find herself more potent than ever in Hollywood.
Could Ortega Be Marvel’s Secret Weapon?
Jenna Ortega’s story is of persistence, growth, and eventual triumph. Though her MCU debut was forgettable, she’s now one of the most memorable faces in modern entertainment. Scream, Wednesday, and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice have made her a global sensation.
And while Marvel once sidelined her, the idea of Ortega officially rejoining the MCU in a significant way feels less like a dream and more like an inevitability. After all, Marvel thrives on reinvention—and right now, Ortega might be the exact star they need to spark the next chapter of its universe.