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Jenna Ortega rose to prominence following her titular role in Netflix’sWednesday. Tim Burton’s show significantly changed the trajectory of Ortega’s career, as new opportunities started coming her way. Soon, the actress turned into the “scream queen” of Hollywood, as people began appreciating her soaked-in-blood, perfectionist roles.
But what if we tell you, that none of this would have been possible for Jenna Ortega, had she stuck by her initial decision? According to her interview withThe Sunday Times, Ortega revealed passing on her breakthroughWednesdayrole several times before ultimately taking it.
Jenna Ortega Initially Refused to Star inWednesday
Jenna Ortegahas been prevailing in the entertainment industry for a long time. Starting as a child actor in Disney’sStuck in the Middle, Ortega later appeared in small roles in iconic projects likeJane the Virginand in Penn Badgley’sYou. However, despite her years of experience in Hollywood, Ortega was still struggling to land her breakthrough role.
“If it was real I would watch it”: Jenna Ortega Shines as Batgirl With Margot Robbie Returning as Harley Quinn in Fan Made Trailer That Sparks DCU Casting
That’s when the actress was offered thetitular role in Tim Burton’sWednesday. Narrating thrilling tales of Wednesday Addams and her life in Nevermore Academy, the Netflix original offered Jenna Ortega the pivotal role of Wednesday. But surprisingly, the actress rejected the opportunity repeatedly, as per her interview withThe Sunday Times.
“I got the email, passed on it… I had done so much TV in my life, all I’ve ever wanted to do is film. I was scared that by signing on to another television show it could prevent me from doing other jobs I really wanted and cared about.”
Although Jenna Ortega’s appearance and performance inWednesdayopened new doors of opportunities, the actress was initially scared of being typecast in Hollywood. Stating her reasons and fears that drove her to reject the show, Ortega then mentioned what, or rather who, eventually changed her mind.
Tim Burton Convinced Ortega to Appear in the Show
Speaking withThe Sunday Times, and stunning her fans and readers with her bombshell revelation, Jenna Ortega noted that there was no one to believe in her when she first started her acting career. Admitting how she had to prove herself at every step, Ortega noted rejectingWednesdayout of fear that the role might typecast her and she wouldn’t be able to achieve what she always fought for.
“She just immediately knew what the tone was”: Jenna Ortega’s Inherent Talent Left Michael Keaton Stunned in Beetlejuice 2 That Proves She Was Born for the Genre
“When I first started acting, I don’t want to say nobody believed in me, but at the same time, nobody believed in me. You have to prove yourself. It’s only in the last three or four years that I’ve been able to start going up for film.”
But certainly, despite Jenna Ortega’s fear of being typecast, her role in the Netflix show propelled her to fame in the industry. Turning out to be her breakthrough role, Ortega finally mentioned who changed her mind for good. CreditingTim Burtonfor believing in her and convincing her to appear inWednesday, Ortega admitted being a fan of Burton and his works.
“The only reason I went back is because Tim [Burton, director and executive producer of Wednesday] is such a legend, and we just happened to get along very well. But even then I said, ‘Ah, no — I think I’m OK,’ a couple [more] times.”
Starring inWednesdaycompletely changed her life and career. Now Jenna Ortega has turned into the “scream queen” of Hollywood and even got nominated for a Golden Globe. Set to appear inTim Burton’sBeetlejuice Beetlejuice, Ortega addressed how working with Burton had a major influence on her career that significantly changed her life for the better.
Wednesdayis available on Netflix.
Krittika Mukherjee
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3217
Krittika Mukherjee is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on films, TV shows, and celebrity news with over 3,000 articles published. With an educational background in Journalism, and a keen interest in filmmaking, Krittika blends factual precision with creative flair, when crafting her editorials, or dissecting fan theories.Her coverage often includes news and analyses of critically acclaimed films, celebrity news, and franchises like the Wizarding World, LOTR, DC, and MCU—particularly Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Superheroes, and fan theories. As a Wizarding World aficionado, Krittika has spent countless hours exploring hidden backstories, unadapted book moments, spells, and trivias surrounding J.K. Rowling’s lore.An imaginative writer with a way with words, Krittika has worked as an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a web content writer for a year. She brought her experience and expertise to FandomWire to pursue her desire for sipping coffee while dissecting films and tracking celebrity drama.
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Jenna OrtegaTim Burton
