Jenna Ortega said she cried for real while filming an emotional scene with Thing in Wednesday. The moment came when Victor Dorobantu, the performer behind the disembodied hand, gently stroked her hand as though he were comforting her. Although the scene already called for emotion, his response unexpectedly affected Ortega herself. She described the experience during a March 2023 Hot Ones interview, as reported by ComicBook.com.
Spoiler note: This article discusses Thing’s near-death scene in Wednesday Season 1.
What Happened When Thing Reached Back
During the scene involving the injured Thing, the camera focused on Ortega’s performance. However, Dorobantu continued acting alongside her even though the shot did not center on him. When she reached toward his hand, he responded with the comforting gesture that brought on her tears. Ortega explained that she restarted her line because the interaction had made her sad, before the two performers laughed together. She remembered it as a moment that strengthened their connection. For Jenna Ortega, playing Wednesday Addams involved responding to a scene partner whose face viewers would never see. Her account gives that brief exchange a different meaning: the actor behind the hand could affect her through touch alone.
The Actor Behind Thing Had His Own Challenge
Dorobantu also singled out the sequence with Wednesday and Uncle Fester as a favorite. In comments from his Slate interview reproduced by /Film, he explained that portraying recovery from a near-death experience presented a difficult challenge without the use of his whole body. Meanwhile, his description suggests that the performers developed parts of the interaction while filming. He recalled improvising and tentatively credited Ortega with suggesting the pinky promise. That qualification matters: his recollection supports her creative involvement, but it does not establish that she alone planned the entire scene. Together, their accounts show how both performers contributed to an exchange built around very small movements.
Why Jenna Ortega Had a Real Hand to React To
Netflix’s official behind-the-scenes feature about Thing explains the practical choice behind that connection. Visual effects supervisor Tom Turnbull said Tim Burton wanted an actor to provide the foundation for the character, with a computer-generated version available when necessary. Therefore, Dorobantu performed on set in a blue suit, while the effects team removed his body from the finished image. Ortega described the interaction as working with another actor: she reacted while he communicated through gestures. However, creating the final illusion required careful positioning, lighting and visual effects work around that performance.
What Viewers See and What Happened on Set
Netflix’s production account separates the visible character from the work surrounding him. For example, Dorobantu sometimes used a dolly for movement, while other setups involved a prop hand. Consequently, Thing’s appearance combined several methods rather than relying on one technique throughout.
| What viewers see | What the production involved |
|---|---|
| A hand moving independently | Dorobantu performing with his body attached |
| Thing communicating without dialogue | Hand movements and responses to other actors |
| No visible performer beside the hand | Visual effects removing Dorobantu’s body |
| Different hand positions between shots | Prop hands alongside the live performance |
What the Scene Reveals About the Performance
Taken together, these accounts suggest why the scene could feel personal to Ortega despite its unusual setup. Dorobantu gave her something immediate to respond to, while the effects team made his surrounding body disappear. The comforting touch also created a striking reversal: the injured character briefly offered reassurance to the person worrying about him. That is an interpretation of the exchange, rather than an explanation Ortega herself supplied. Nevertheless, it offers a useful detail to notice when watching the scene again—the direction of comfort changes for a moment.
Related Reading
- Kristina Tesic’s Role in the Horror Film Turbines — Explore another performer’s documented work in horror.
- Lyle Trachtenberg’s Film Credits and Hollywood Union Work — Read about his screen appearances and work behind the scenes.
FAQs
When did Jenna Ortega discuss crying during the Thing scene?
Ortega discussed the experience in her March 2023 Hot Ones interview. ComicBook.com reported her comments on March 2, 2023, placing the recollection after the first season’s release.
Did Jenna Ortega suggest the pinky promise?
Dorobantu tentatively credited Ortega with that idea. However, he expressed uncertainty in his recollection, so describing her involvement as his remembered account is more accurate than treating it as a confirmed production credit.
Where can viewers see how the team created Thing?
Netflix’s Tudum feature includes production footage and explanations from Dorobantu, Ortega and visual effects supervisor Tom Turnbull. It shows how the team combined physical acting with digital work.
The detail to watch for is Thing’s reassuring touch. According to Ortega’s account, that small response reached beyond the fictional scene and moved the actor performing beside him.
