Jenna Ortega: From 'Wednesday' to 'Beetlejuice 2,' the Rising Star's Journey Continues

In a career-defining move, Jenna Ortega, who rose to fame with her chilling portrayal of Wednesday Addams in the Netflix series "Wednesday," is now set to join the much-anticipated sequel to the horror-comedy classic "Beetlejuice." Tim Burton is at the helm again, promising a fresh take on the beloved franchise. Notably, the original cast members, including Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, and Michael Keaton, are reprising their roles in the upcoming film, slated for release on September 6, 2024.

Following her impressive performance as Wednesday Addams, Ortega is cast as the daughter of Ryder's character, Lydia Deetz. Her on-screen presence has already garnered critical acclaim and a considerable fan base. Adding to the film's star power, actors Willem Dafoe, Justin Theroux, and Monica Bellucci are also joining the cast. Dafoe is reported to be portraying a law enforcement officer in the afterlife.

While Ortega's acting prowess is widely recognised, the young actress has also made headlines for her candid opinions about scriptwriting. After "Wednesday" was renewed for a second season on Netflix, she voiced her concerns about certain aspects of the script that did not align with her character, leading to some controversy and triggering a wave of support and mockery on social media.

Off-screen, Ortega has also gained massive popularity on the video-sharing platform TikTok, with a staggering follower count exceeding 19 million. Despite this, the actress maintains a low profile on the platform, with only one sponsored post to her name. Even though the actress herself doesn't frequently watch these videos, Ortega's performance of the "Wednesday" dance from the Netflix series went viral on TikTok and other social media platforms.

Ortega's rise to fame has not been without controversy. She admitted to filming the now-viral dance sequence while awaiting COVID-19 test results, which later returned positive. This revelation raised questions about the show's adherence to pandemic safety protocols. Nonetheless, MGM Studios, the production company for "Wednesday," affirmed their commitment to strict COVID protocols and promptly removed Ortega from the set following the positive test confirmation.

Despite the controversy, Ortega's performance as Wednesday Addams received widespread acclaim, and she has been nominated for a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award. With her new role in "Beetlejuice 2," she continues to solidify her place in Hollywood as a young talent to watch.