Jenna Ortega, one of Hollywood’s most promising young stars, has made it clear that she has no interest in joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While many actors dream of landing a role in one of the highest-grossing franchises of all time, Ortega has a very personal reason for staying away: her frustrating experience with Iron Man 3.
Recently, during an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Ortega was asked if she would consider taking on a role in the MCU. Instead of showing excitement, she immediately shut down the idea, reminding the interviewer that she had already been in a Marvel film. "I did it once," she stated. "It was one of the first jobs I ever did."
Her words carried a weight of disappointment, and as she explained further, it became clear why she had such strong feelings about it. In Iron Man 3, Ortega played the daughter of Vice President Rodriguez, portrayed by the late Miguel Ferrer.
However, instead of getting the chance to showcase her acting skills, her role was reduced to a near-silent cameo.
Originally, Ortega’s character was supposed to have lines, but by the time the film was released, every single one of them had been removed. "They took all my lines out," she recalled, still frustrated by the decision. What remained of her role was a single scene in which the vice president kisses his daughter on the forehead during a Christmas family gathering.
As the camera moves downward, it reveals that she has lost a leg and is bound to a wheelchair—a visual cue meant to explain the vice president’s secret betrayal of the U.S. government.
For Ortega, this experience was disheartening. As a young actress just starting out in Hollywood, being cast in a major Marvel film should have been an exciting opportunity. Instead, it turned into a moment of disappointment, as she realized that her presence in the movie was reduced to a background detail rather than a meaningful performance.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is known for its enormous cast and complex storylines, which often lead to some characters being sidelined or having their roles diminished in the editing process. However, for Ortega, this wasn’t just a minor cut—it was a complete erasure of her performance.
Her character had a purpose in the plot, but instead of giving her a voice, the filmmakers turned her into a silent figure, existing only to justify another character’s motivations.
As Ortega has grown in her career, she has been able to choose roles that truly showcase her abilities. Her performances in Wednesday, Scream, and other projects have proven that she is a powerhouse talent, capable of carrying a story on her own. Given her current success, she no longer has to accept roles where she is sidelined or used merely as a plot device.
This is likely why she has no desire to return to Marvel. While many actors see the MCU as the pinnacle of Hollywood success, Ortega has already had a taste of what it’s like to be in a Marvel film—and it wasn’t an experience she wants to repeat.
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Unlike other rising stars who might jump at the chance to join the franchise, she is being selective about the projects she takes on, ensuring that she is given the space to shine as an actress.
Her refusal to work with Marvel again has sparked debate among fans. Some argue that her situation was just an unfortunate result of the editing process, something that happens to many actors in large-scale films.
Others, however, believe this is another example of how big studios fail to properly utilize young talent, especially when it comes to roles that aren’t central to the main heroes of the story.
Regardless of public opinion, Ortega has made her stance clear. She has moved on from Marvel and has no intention of looking back.
She doesn’t need the MCU to succeed—her career is already flourishing without it. Instead of playing a minor character in a blockbuster franchise, she is choosing projects that allow her to have a real impact, where her presence on screen is felt and appreciated.
While Marvel fans may be disappointed that they won’t see Ortega in a future superhero role, it’s clear that she is making choices that align with her values as an actress. She isn’t chasing fame for the sake of being in a big-budget film—she is chasing meaningful, impactful roles that let her fully showcase her talent.
Jenna Ortega’s story is a reminder that not every actor sees Marvel as the ultimate goal. For her, Iron Man 3 was not the exciting career milestone it should have been. Instead, it was a lesson in how the industry often undervalues young performers.
Now, with her career in full swing, she has the power to say no to roles that don’t serve her.
And as her star continues to rise, it’s clear that Marvel’s loss is Hollywood’s gain.
