Fans Rally Behind Jenna Ortega to Bring Marvel's First Puerto Rican Superhero, White Tiger, to Life
With excitement building for Daredevil: Born Again, Marvel fans are buzzing about which street-level heroes might finally make their live-action debut. At the top of fan wishlists is Jenna Ortega, known for her role in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, who many believe would be the perfect fit to portray White Tiger — Marvel's first Latine and Puerto Rican superhero. This character, created by Bill Mantlo and legendary Puerto Rican artist George Pérez, first appeared in Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #19 and has a rich legacy within the Marvel Comics universe.
White Tiger originally debuted through Hector Ayala, a young Puerto Rican man who discovered the powerful Jade Tiger amulets, abandoned by the martial arts trio known as the Sons of the Tiger. By wielding the amulets, Hector became White Tiger, a vigilante who protected his community and often teamed up with heroes like Spider-Man. However, Hector’s heroism came at a heavy cost, leading to personal tragedy that ultimately pushed him away from his role as a hero.
The White Tiger legacy, however, didn’t end with Hector. The mantle has since been carried forward by others in his family, including his niece, FBI Agent Angela Del Toro, and later his sister Ava Ayala. Fans are particularly drawn to Ava’s story — a young woman who, determined to honor her family’s legacy, takes up the White Tiger mantle and joins the fight for justice. Ava Ayala's character has resonated with fans, especially through her portrayal in Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man animated series, but many feel it’s time she steps into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) spotlight.
Ortega, who has quickly become one of Hollywood's favorite rising stars, has been frequently mentioned by fans as an ideal choice for Ava Ayala. With her growing prominence and dedication to representing Latin culture, many believe Ortega could capture Ava’s strength, resilience, and commitment to family. And with Daredevil: Born Again reportedly including Hector Ayala in a pivotal storyline, fans are hoping this sets the stage for Ortega’s debut as Ava, allowing White Tiger's legacy to continue in live-action.
In a significant move, Daredevil: Born Again has also enlisted a Latino director to helm its first episode, a decision fans see as a step toward authentic representation. This project, much like Black Panther did for Black heroes, has the potential to uplift Latin American culture in mainstream media. Characters like White Tiger have long been influential within the comic book world, and this recognition is overdue for the work of George Pérez and Bill Mantlo. Their creation of White Tiger paved the way for more diverse heroes, including groundbreaking characters like Miles Morales.
The passing of Kamar de los Reyes, who was set to portray Hector Ayala in his final role, has made the desire for an authentic and respectful portrayal even more profound. As the MCU continues to expand its roster of heroes, there is excitement around Ortega potentially joining as White Tiger and giving Latin American fans a hero to rally behind. For fans, it’s a chance to honor a beloved character and recognize the powerful influence of Latine heroes in the Marvel universe.
Daredevil: Born Again premieres on Disney+ in March 2025, and fans will be watching closely for any hint of White Tiger’s long-awaited debut.
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