Jenna Ortega Says She’s Ready to Direct Her First Movie

Jenna Ortega is ready to make her directorial debut, and her vision may surprise fans. As the actress prepares to return in Wednesday Season 2, she’s also setting her sights behind the camera. Known for her sharp performances and unique style, Jenna Ortega has revealed she’s ready to take on a new challenge—directing her first film.

Here’s what Jenna Ortega said about her desire to direct a movie.

Jenna Ortega wants to make her directional debut

Jenna Ortega shared in an interview with V Magazine that she has spent nearly a decade developing a script she now hopes to bring to life.

The Wednesday star, who gained massive recognition through her role as the gothic teen icon, explained that she’s been working on the script for years. “I have a script that I’ve known that I was going to make for almost 10 years. It’s weird because it’s something that I thought of when I was younger and when I first started out in this field, and it’s only now that I’m actually starting to take the steps to get it made, which is really interesting,” Ortega said.

The Jane the Virgin star further added that she is trying to put everything together. “So I think I needed a few years of that under my belt to understand the order of doing things,” she said.

Ortega emphasized that her passion lies in directing more than acting. Although she sees herself in the project’s narrative, she views the director’s chair as her true creative calling. “I really want to direct. That’s probably the main thing that I want to do. I see that for myself. I just feel that’s the way my brain wants to work and think. And that’s how I even view my acting sometimes.”

Though she hasn’t directed yet, Jenna Ortega has already gained production experience. She made her executive producer debut in the A24 horror-comedy Death of a Unicorn, where she also starred. She’s also set to executive produce and headline Hurry Up Tomorrow, directed by Trey Edward Shults.

Jenna Ortega also expressed a desire to eventually work behind the scenes fully. “I don’t want to be in the things that I create in the future, but starting out, because I’ve created more leverage for myself with a name as an actor, I may as well use that as a stepping stone,” she explained.