Jenna Ortega‘s meteoric rise in Hollywood has fueled speculation about whether she could return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While her early career included a small role in the MCU timeline, many have theorized that she could reprise her character in a larger capacity. The MCU has a track record of bringing back minor characters and elevating them to more significant roles, leading to speculation that Ortega could be a prime candidate for such treatment. However, her recent comments about the experience suggest that her interest in returning to Marvel is practically nonexistent.
In 2013’s Iron Man 3, Ortega played the daughter of Vice President Rodriguez. Though her role was minor, it had narrative significance – the Vice President was secretly working with Aldrich Killian, the film’s primary antagonist, because Killian’s Extremis project could potentially help cure his daughter’s disability. However, Ortega’s screen time was extremely limited. Nevertheless, given her current stardom and the MCU’s tendency to revisit past characters, theories have emerged suggesting that her role as Rodriguez’s daughter could be expanded in future projects.
Jenna Ortega’s Iron Man 3 Appearance Has Led To Many MCU Theories About Her Return
Over the years, various theories have circulated about how Ortega’s Iron Man 3 character could fit into future MCU stories. Some believe she could return as an adult version of the Vice President’s daughter, possibly as someone enhanced by Extremis technology. Others speculate that she could be reintroduced as a completely different character, which Marvel has done before with actors like Gemma Chan, who played Minn-Erva in Captain Marvel before returning as Sersi in Eternals.
Given Ortega’s rising profile in Hollywood, casting her in a more prominent MCU role seems like a natural move for Marvel Studios. She has already demonstrated her range with lead performances in darker roles with Wednesday, Scream, and Beetlejuice 2, making her a sought-after talent for major franchises. This legacy could mean that Ortega returns as a villain. While some believe that her brief role in Iron Man 3 wouldn’t prevent her from returning in a bigger capacity – after all, the MCU has rewritten continuity before and could easily reintroduce her as a fresh character.
Jenna Ortega’s Latest Comments About Her MCU Role Make A Return Seem Less Likely
Despite fan enthusiasm for a potential return, Ortega’s recent comments suggest she has no real connection to the MCU and sees her past role as an insignificant footnote in her career. During a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, she stated, “I did it once. It was one of the first jobs I ever did. 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.”
She further added, “They even took my name away. I count that, and then I move on.” These remarks indicate that Ortega doesn’t see her Marvel appearance as a meaningful part of her filmography and has no particular desire to revisit it. They even suggest a slight resentment regarding her character’s role being cut down.
Even though Marvel has a reputation for bringing back actors in new roles, Ortega’s clear lack of attachment to her brief MCU appearance makes it unlikely she would actively pursue a return. Her career trajectory also suggests that she doesn’t need the MCU to thrive – she has already carved out a niche in horror and genre films. This gives her plenty of high-profile opportunities without needing to step back into the Marvel universe.
Source: Entertainment Tonight
Upcoming MCU Movies
-
Thunderbolts*
- Release Date
-
May 2, 2025
Powered by
-
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Release Date
-
July 25, 2025
Powered by
-
Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
Powered by
-
MCU Spider-Man 4
- Release Date
-
July 24, 2026
Powered by
-
Avengers: Secret Wars
- Release Date
-
May 7, 2027
Powered by
