As a seasoned gamer who’s seen more than a few reboots and remakes in my time, I can truly appreciate Jenna Ortega’s journey with Wednesday. She’s not just another character stepping into an iconic role; she’s a player diving headfirst into a complex game, armed with creativity and determination.
Jenna Ortega’s pivotal role in the hit Netflix series “Wednesday” has significantly transformed her career, following her extensive work on Disney Channel’s “Stuck in the Middle” and a supporting role as young Jane in “Jane the Virgin“. Despite the success of her current show, there were some challenges. Ortega had sought a significant behind-the-scenes position in the “The Addams Family” spinoff, but negotiations during that time led to her standing firm and eventually agreeing to terms with Netflix instead.
It appears that the actress who starred in “Scream” formed a genuine bond with Wednesday Addams and her universe. This connection translated into creative input during her tenure on the show’s inaugural season. For example, Tim Burton entrusted her with inventing the dance sequence that became viral for Wednesday’s character. Interestingly, when the actress rarely blinked while in character, it was a deliberate choice she made, and Burton endorsed this decision. However, there were some doubts when the “X” movie star asked for something special. So let’s delve into that further.
What Role Did Jenna Ortega Want For Wednesday’s First Season?
Jenna Ortega initially considered turning down the role in ‘Wednesday’ because she was worried about being tied down and missing out on other opportunities. However, a conversation with Tim Burton convinced her to take the part. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Ortega discussed her desire for a behind-the-scenes role as a producer on the coming-of-age series. At 18, she attempted to negotiate this position but was told it was unusual for actors to produce the first season of a show. Ortega went on to explain why she felt it was crucial for her to be a producer at such an early stage in her career.
It’s understandable to feel apprehensive about committing to a contract and desiring some influence or assurance that your input will matter. As an actor, I acknowledge my lack of control… However, given Wednesday’s extensive screen time in the production, it seems reasonable for her to be actively engaged in the decision-making process because she is present throughout the entire project.
The feelings expressed by the actress who worked on “Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous” are understandable, given that she was venturing into uncharted territory by agreeing to be part of the project. Her aim was to preserve her acting independence and offer creative input wherever possible, while also earning an Executive Producer (EP) credit. Furthermore, she had the challenging task of reimagining the Wednesday Addams character, a role that was previously played by Lisa Loring on the 1960s “Addams Family” series and Christina Ricci in movies. Despite the pressure to follow in their footsteps, her performance was applauded, and she now holds an EP position for Season 2, currently in production. However, as her Netflix show prepared for its debut, there were still hurdles to overcome.
How Did The Drama Behind Jenna Ortega’s Desire For Creative Control Play Out?
2023 hit a nerve for me as a gamer when Jenna Ortega went on Dax Shepard and Monica Padman’s “Armchair Expert” podcast. She spoke up about feeling puzzled by certain aspects of her show “Wednesday,” like the love triangle in the plot. Ortega confessed that she even tweaked some lines written by the writers to better fit her character because of these creative differences.
Reflecting on her comments made during Wednesday, the main actress acknowledged that she could have selected her words more carefully, referring to herself as someone who tends to speak at length. Despite the harsh criticism she’s faced on social media throughout her career, it served as a valuable lesson for her – one that she now understands not every actress will be universally loved, and that’s perfectly acceptable.
Despite all the other points, it was likely satisfying for Jenna Ortega to observe the response to the series Wednesday, including its renewal and her producer role. Now equipped to provide feedback, Ortega assures us that future installments will feature fresh villains, eerie supernatural aspects, and a more ominous atmosphere, which has me even more eager. Though opinions may vary on how she asserted herself during Season 1, there’s no denying that her efforts made an impact and led to what she desired. Until Season 2 premieres in 2025, you can stream the first eight episodes with a Netflix membership.
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2024-08-07 21:37