A Denzel Washington film from the early 2000s changed Jenna Ortega’s “entire life path” and brought her to acting
It’s interesting how life can take unexpected turns. Inspiration often comes from the most surprising places – just ask Jenna Ortega, the up-and-coming member of the Netflix Cast WednesdayAs one of Hollywood’s most sought-after young talents, Jenna has captivated audiences with her journey from the Disney Channel In the middle to their thrilling performances in the last Scream Movies. What many don’t know, however, is that her passion for acting was sparked by an unexpected source: a Denzel Washington film. The film that set her on this path? The 2004 thriller Man under fire–which happens to be one of the best films of the 2000s.
In a recent interview with Vanity FairThe Studio666 The actress talked about the moment that changed her life. As a young girl, she dreamed of becoming an astronaut or even President of the United States. But everything changed when she saw the 2004 action thriller. Man under firewith Denzel Washington and the young Dakota Fanning in the leading roles. Directed by late Tony ScottThe film follows Washington as a former CIA agent on a mission to rescue a kidnapped girl in Mexico City. For Ortega, this film, especially Fanning’s performance, had a profound impact and set her on the path to becoming the actress she is today. In her words:
I am so grateful for my six-year-old self who wanted to be president and an astronaut… because I realize now that I was always looking for a way out… Watching Man on Fire changed my entire life.
The Elena of Avalor The experienced voice actress’ parents were amused by her daughter’s new career ambitions. Her mother shared a video on Facebook of nine-year-old Jenna delivering a dramatic monologue (which fans have reposted here). The clip, which Ortega later posted in her SNL Monologue, if She hosted in 2023caught the attention of a casting director thanks to a family friend who passed it on to her. Before she knew it, her mother was making regular six-hour round-trip flights to Los Angeles for auditions.
Jenna’s revelation adds another level of appreciation to her already impressive work. It is fascinating to think that an intense, dark Action film How Man under fire might inspire a young girl to pursue an acting career. But it makes sense when you consider the power of cinema to move and change. Not to mention that the powerful performances came not only from Denzel, but also from young Dakota.
Despite her undeniable talent You The actress’s road to success was not without its challenges. As a young Latina actress, she often had difficulty landing roles in an industry that favored white actresses. Her first role was a brief appearance as a victim of a shooting in CSIbut she quickly began to make a name for herself. After appearing in 30 episodes as young Jane on Jane, the VirginOrtega’s next big break came when she starred in the Disney Channel sitcom In the middleplayed the middle child in a large family. She continued to expand her resume with roles such as Jennifer Garner’s daughter in the family comedy Yes Day.
And now, a little over a decade later since Jenna first watched, Man under fireand she has become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after talents. She has already released two films for the 2024 cinema schedule alone—Winter Spring Summer or Autumn And Miller’s Girl— with a third highly anticipated project, the upcoming Beetlejuice Beetlejuiceon the horizon.
Jenna Ortega’s film schedule for 2025 is expected to be just as busy, with at least two major film releases next year and the already confirmed second season of Wednesday. As she continues to advance her budding career, it’s clear that the inspiration she’s drawn from Man under fire all the years before have only increased her passion and drive. With each new project, the former Scream actress proves that she is here to stay, and her fans can’t wait to see what she does next.
What Man under fireYou can rewatch the 2004 flick via streaming on Fubo.
