Though Jenna Ortega is now widely celebrated for her role in “Wednesday,” one of Netflix’s standout series, and her significant performances in horror movies, her entry into blockbuster films occurred much earlier. This initial venture took place on one of pop culture’s largest platforms: Marvel, through a brief appearance in the MCU that numerous viewers may not remember.
This minor Marvel role was in “Iron Man 3,” when she was just 10 years old. Even though her role was small, Ortega’s character played a crucial part in the villain’s scheme, as the film leverages her character’s health issue to enable the antagonist to manipulate the U.S. government to his advantage. While it may be easy to overlook, the character remains connected to the film’s primary conflict.
Simultaneously, Ortega’s entry into the Marvel universe coincided with one of the most polarizing projects of Phase 2 in the MCU. Despite “Iron Man 3” achieving box office success upon its release, it did not become one of the franchise’s most cherished installments, mainly due to certain script decisions.
Jenna Ortega reflects on her almost wordless Marvel debut in ‘Iron Man 3’
For those who do not recall Jenna Ortega’s part in “Iron Man 3,” her scene lasts only a few seconds, occurring approximately an hour and a half into the film. Ortega’s character is depicted interacting with her father during a Christmas family event. Although the moment is subtle, it indicates that she uses a wheelchair, a detail that becomes significant to the film’s storyline later on.
In a discussion with Entertainment Weekly, the actress spoke about her short role in this Marvel movie, which also ranked among her earliest works. “I occupy the frame. I have one leg, and I’m the vice president’s daughter.” She also noted revisions made in post-production, as the character was initially supposed to have some dialogue, but as Ortega mentioned, “they cut all my lines out.” Additionally, Ortega’s name does not appear in the credits.
Ortega also took the opportunity in that interview to respond to speculation about a possible return to the MCU, amidst the various rumors concerning the franchise’s future, while indicating that her brief appearance in “Iron Man 3” leaves little room for a future role. In her perspective, that cameo was her passage through Marvel films, and she views it as a completed chapter.
Why Iron Man 3 remains one of the MCU’s most controversial films
The film that marked Ortega’s Marvel entry is also considered one of the franchise’s most contentious installments. Despite its success at the box office, “Iron Man 3” made several creative choices that left many comic book fans dissatisfied. A significant portion of the backlash focused on the Mandarin, the film’s antagonist, whose representation diverges greatly from the original material. This twist compelled Marvel to later clarify the matter in Shang-Chi, addressing who the true leader of the Ten Rings was.
Another reason the film polarized fans was its departure from the focus of the first two “Iron Man” films, showcasing a deeper exploration of Tony Stark’s trauma following “The Avengers.” While some viewers appreciated this direction, many were anticipating a more conventional superhero narrative, which contributed to the film’s mixed reputation.
Nevertheless, “Iron Man 3” surpassed the $1 billion mark at the box office, demonstrating that a more psychological approach to a superhero narrative could still resonate with mainstream audiences. The film also concluded Robert Downey Jr.’s solo trilogy and, in hindsight, provided Ortega with an early blockbuster debut.
