‘I Did It Once’ – Jenna Ortega Reminds Fans of Her Forgotten MCU Debut 12 Years Ago

Jenna Ortega is one of the most in-demand actors of her generation. However, don’t expect her to suit up for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) anytime soon—because she’s already been there, done that! 💥

🎬 Jenna Ortega’s Forgotten MCU Role in Iron Man 3

Many fans know Jenna Ortega from hit projects like Wednesday, Scream, and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, but few realize that she made her MCU debut over a decade ago. Ortega’s first big-screen role was in Iron Man 3 (2013), where she played the Vice President’s daughter—a minor character tied to the film’s plot.

📽 Ortega, who began acting at just 9 years old, made her TV debut in Rob (2012) before landing a small role in Iron Man 3. However, the role was so brief that many completely missed it or simply forgot about it!

In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Ortega was asked about the possibility of joining the MCU in the future, to which she confidently responded:

“I did it once.”

🗣️ Jenna Ortega Reflects on Her MCU Experience

During the interview, Ortega recalled her short-lived Iron Man 3 role with Paul Rudd, her Death of a Unicorn co-star. The Wednesday star seemed unimpressed with how things turned out, as her dialogue was completely cut from the final scene.

🗨️ Ortega explained:

“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.”

Rudd, who plays Ant-Man in the MCU, attempted to convince Ortega to make a Marvel comeback, pointing out that Marvel is great at laying breadcrumbs for future roles.

🦸‍♂️ “They might very well create something for you. ‘Cause they should be so lucky to have Jenna Ortega in their franchise.”

However, Ortega seemed uninterested, responding:

“They even took my name away… but I just count that, and then I move on.”

🤯 Fans React to Jenna Ortega’s MCU Past

After the interview, fans flooded social media with reactions. Many were shocked to learn that Ortega had already appeared in the MCU, as her role in Iron Man 3 was so minor and forgettable. Her character existed primarily to reveal the Vice President’s allegiance to the film’s antagonists, as they supported Extremis, an experimental treatment capable of regenerating lost limbs—hence her involvement.

💬 Fan reactions included:
✅ “How did I never notice this?!”
✅ “Marvel fumbled by cutting her lines. Now they’ll never get her back!”
✅ “Ortega deserves a lead role, not a blink-and-you-miss-it cameo.”

✨ Does Marvel Need Jenna Ortega More Than She Needs Them?

With her impressive résumé—including Netflix’s You, Scream, Wednesday, and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice—Ortega is already a household name. She doesn’t need the MCU to boost her career.

On the other hand, Marvel could certainly benefit from her star power. With major franchises evolving and new heroes emerging, Ortega would be a perfect fit for a leading role—if she ever changed her mind.

For now, though, she seems happy leaving Iron Man 3 in the past. 🔥

🎥 The Iron Man trilogy and the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe are available to stream on Disney+.