Jenna Ortega has jokingly compared her athleticism to Tom Cruise’s and expressed interest in becoming an action star. The Wednesday star is training to play a gymnast in the upcoming film Nasty. Ortega discussed how she has been comparing herself to some of Hollywood’s biggest action stars during her training.
During an interview with Josh Horowitz, Ortega discussed her training for Nasty and her admiration for action stars. “It’s been a lot of training, so I’m trying to make it as enjoyable as I can,” she said. “I’ve just been comparing myself to every action star whatsoever.” When asked which action stars she holds in high regard, Ortega said the list includes Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Cruise.
Jenna Ortega is pushing to make her mark in action movies
“There’s two people who operate at this athletic level that I’m on right now, and I think it’s me and Tom,” the actress joked. “The day that I don’t train, maybe he’s on the up.” Ortega also revealed that she has never watched any Mission: Impossible movie.
Ortega’s comments suggest she is interested in exploring action roles, a genre that has not been central to her career so far. One of her closest brushes with action-oriented material has been playing Tara Carpenter in the Scream films. She has yet to be cast in an action movie as the lead actor.
Nasty will be produced by Ortega in partnership with Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap. The film will see Ortega battle her on-screen gymnastics coach, who is played by Rose Byrne.
Ortega will next appear in Taika Waititi’s sci-fi film Klara and the Sun, releasing on October 23, 2026. Following that, she will share the screen with Natalie Portman in The Gallerist.
She will also reprise the role of Wednesday Addams in the show’s third season. Ortega has also been cast in J.J. Abrams’ The Great Beyond, where she will share the screen with Glenn Powell, Emma Mackey, and Samuel L. Jackson.
Originally reported on ComingSoon.net.
