Jenna Ortega played a brief part in the 2013 MCU movie Iron Man 3, but as small as the role is, her character matters a lot to the overall story.

Jenna Ortega, an actress celebrated for her sassy and snarky titular Wednesday role and her many horror movie appearances, had a role in Iron Man 3. This part in the 2013 MCU sequel was actually Ortega’s first time acting in a movie. Her role was incredibly brief, but now that she has starred in many hit movies and TV shows, her small but meaningful part in the MCU timeline is of particular interest.

There have been a number of recent roles that have catapulted Ortega to A-list celebrity, from Wednesday Addams in the hit Netflix series to the scream queens she plays in horror movies, which includes her character in Scream 2022. Whether playing a teenager hiding in the bathroom during a school shooting in The Fallout or a young woman curious about an adult film in Ti West’s X, Ortega is always sharp, smart, and unforgettable. Ortega’s Iron Man 3 appearance is minor, but there are a few reasons why her character matters in the Iron Man movie timeline.

Who Did Jenna Ortega Play In Iron Man 3?

Jenna Ortega Appeared As A Minor Character In Iron Man 3

In 2013, the then-10-year-old Jenna Ortega played the Vice President’s daughter in Iron Man 3. The character isn’t given a name, however. In the movie, Vice President Rodriguez (Miguel Ferrer) is working with Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce) to overthrow the current government. Rodriguez’s efforts are shown to be motivated in part by his daughter in this regard, as she is shown to have one leg and use a wheelchair, and the Vice President wishes to use Extremis to get her a new leg.

Jenna Ortega’s Iron Man 3 Role Is Brief But Fascinating

Iron Man 3’s Emotional Core Is Communicated Through Jenna Ortega’s Character

Although Ortega is barely in Iron Man 3, her character drives home the weight that Extremis holds in the movie, and the MCU as a whole. Several characters are taken in by its power and promise and would do anything for it.

Given the fact that Vice President Rodriguez is ultimately arrested, Ortega’s character is just as heartbreaking as her later breakout movie role as the Scream franchise’s Tara Carpenter, who is attacked by Ghostface in Scream 2022 and almost dies from her brutal wounds. In Iron Man 3, Ortega plays the Vice President’s daughter perfectly as a young child who puts all their hope and trust in their parent, and has no idea what’s really going on behind the scenes.

Jenna Ortega Could Be Returning To The MCU

MCU’s Casting Choices Align Well With A Potential Future Ortega Role

Ortega’s Iron Man 3 role might have been brief, but there is a possibility that fans will see her return to the MCU. With her star continuing to rise, Ortega is just the kind of young talent Marvel is interested in recruiting, especially for the future of their franchise.

There has been particular fan interest in seeing Ortega join Daredevil: Born Again as the character White Tiger, a character with ties to Daredevil and the Defenders. While Ortega doesn’t appear to be a part of the cast from what has been announced, it is still possible that she could appear as White Tiger in a brief cameo, or appear in this role or a different one further down the line.

Though it might be presumed that Ortega’s previous role in Iron Man 3 prevents her from joining the MCU as a new character, other actors show that exceptions can be made. Michelle Yeoh had a cameo in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 as Aleta Ogord before appearing in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings as Ying Nan.

Likewise, Gemma Chan had a prominent antagonist role as Minn-Erva in Captain Marvel, then played Sersi in Eternals. Seeing as Ortega had a quick and wordless part in Iron Man 3, it seems unlikely it would prevent Marvel from casting her again if the right role came up.