Jenna Ortega’s Dream is to Play a Role That Made the Career of 3x Oscar-Winning Swedish Legend Ingrid Bergman

Establishing her position in Hollywood as the reigning queen of the dark, following her appearance in the Wednesday TV series, Jenna Ortega became one of the most defining faces in Hollywood. Thereafter, appearing in the Scream franchise and even making her way into Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Ortega catapulted her stardom among the younger generation. 

However, in a surprising twist, despite Jenna Ortega’s success in the realm of horror and thriller, which has defined her career graph, the actress revealed a surprising choice for her dream role. After carving a distinct niche for herself with captivating performances in contemporary television and film, Ortega expressed her desire to embody the historical figure that echoed the career trajectory of the legendary Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman.

Jenna Ortega Aspires to Portray the Complex Historical Figure, Joan of Arc

Known for her compelling portrayal of Wednesday Addams in the hit series Wednesday and her intriguing role as Astrid Deetz in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Jenna Ortega has emerged as a defining face of modern media, especially among younger audiences. However, despite becoming synonymous with the gothic and horror genre, Ortega revealed her desire to make a bold shift in her career. 

In an interview with Letterboxd, Jenna Ortega expressed her desire to steer away from her primary genre and explore something more challenging and complex. Therefore, the actress revealed her dream role to be a historical figure far removed from her current genre: Joan of Arc. Showcasing a desire to explore a character rooted in history and legend, Ortega chose one of the most complex and controversial characters in history. 

The Passion of Joan of Arc. The [Carl Theodre] Dreyer Film. Renee Falconetti’s performance in that is absolutely insane. I feel like a dream character for me would be Joan of Arc.

Joan of Arc, a young peasant girl who claimed divine guidance and led French troops to victory during the Hundred Years’ War, has long been a subject of fascination in the world of cinema. And Jenna Ortega’s choice of this particular character seemed intriguing, not only because of the character’s complexity but also because it echoes the career trajectory of the legendary Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman.

Ingrid Bergman Had Previously Established Her Career Playing Joan of Arc

The 15th-century French heroine Joan of Arc’s story has been portrayed by numerous actresses, but perhaps the most iconic portrayal came from Ingrid Bergman, the Swedish legend who helmed the role thrice across her celebrated career. The three-time Oscar winner thus left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry with her interpretation of the sainted warrior, in both theater and film. 

Initially appearing in the 1947 play Joan of Lorraine, Ingrid Bergman won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play. Thereafter, the play’s success resulted in the 1948 film adaptation, Joan of Arc, directed by Victor Fleming. Considering Bergman’s iconic performance in the play, she was hired to bring the character to life, even in the movie. Eventually, the 1948 film became the one to solidify her status as one of the greatest actresses of her time.

Ingrid Bergman’s performance as Joan of Arc in Victor Fleming’s movie was received with high acclaim and earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Soon, Bergman once again portrayed Joan of Arc in the 1954 Italian film, Giovanna d’Arco al Rogo, a musical collaboration with her then-husband, Roberto Rossellini. Unfortunately, the third time wasn’t a charm for Bergman, as this movie received a lacklustre reception and performed poorly at the box office (via Rotten Tomatoes).

But despite the failure of the Italian film, Joan of Arc remained one of Ingrid Bergman’s most acclaimed roles throughout her career. And now Jenna Ortega’s fascination with the historical figure can be perceived as a tribute to the legacy of actresses like Bergman. Moreover, if Ortega succeeds in fulfilling her career aspirations, it will be both exciting and promising to see the rising star venture into this new territory.