13 Going On 30 Stars React To Almost The Entire Cast Joining The MCU

by

Jennifer Garner and Judy Greer were surprised to learn about the connection between their movie, 13 Going on 30, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The movie follows 13-year-old Jenna Rink (Christa B. Allen) who dreams of being “Thirty, flirty, and thriving.” Her wish magically comes true, and she wakes up as a 30-year-old (played by Jennifer Garner) in 2004, working at a fashion magazine alongside Lucy Wyman (Judy Greer). Interestingly, both actresses have since appeared in Marvel movies: Garner played Elektra in Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), and Greer has played Scott Lang’s ex-wife Maggie in Ant-Man (2015) and Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018).

Jennifer Garner and Judy Greer recently chatted with ScreenRant about their beloved film, 13 Going on 30, while promoting season 2 of The Last Thing He Told Me. They reminisced about memorable moments from the movie, like the iconic “Thriller” dance sequence, filming in New York City, and how special it felt to work on such a successful project. They also touched on the fact that their former co-stars, Mark Ruffalo and Andy Serkis, now appear in Marvel films. Greer also pointed out that many viewers don’t realize she played Cornelia, Caesar’s wife, in the Planet of the Apes movies. You can read their full conversation below.

Jennifer Garner describes their time filming “Thriller” as incredibly fun and memorable. She and Michael Jackson were young and just enjoyed running around New York City while making the video. It felt like a huge experience for them personally, and they didn’t realize how much of a global phenomenon it would become.

That was definitely my biggest part at the time. Mark Ruffalo and I were both in romantic comedies, and it just all came together perfectly. Our director, Gary Winnick, was amazing – truly a wonderful person. Plus, we had fantastic female producers. We were really fortunate, and it was a very special experience.

Jennifer Garner: I know, it’s amazing, right? Even Andy Serkis, who you collaborated with – he played your ape husband!

Judy Greer jokingly referred to Andy Serkis as her ‘ape husband,’ referencing his famous motion capture roles. She pointed out that people often forget they had worked together previously, when he played a more conventional human character – their eccentric boss.

Mark Ruffalo, who plays Bruce Banner/the Hulk, is a frequent face in Marvel movies, first appearing in The Avengers (2012) and scheduled to be in Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026). Andy Serkis plays Ulysses Klaue, a villainous arms dealer first seen in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) and later in Black Panther (2018). Brie Larson, also from the movie 13 Going on 30, is another MCU actor not mentioned by Jennifer Garner and Judy Greer. She’s known for playing Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel and was part of a group of characters referred to as the Six Chicks.

Even after over twenty years, the romantic comedy that first paired these actors remains a fan favorite. In a 2025 review for ScreenRant, Rachel LaBonte praised 13 Going on 30, noting that the film highlights the importance of kindness, creativity, and a good heart – qualities many girls feel pressured to abandon as they grow up. LaBonte writes that Jenna’s journey of self-discovery, combined with a romance with Mark Ruffalo, is a relatable and heartwarming story for many women.

Mark Ruffalo is well-known for playing the Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but many also remember his charming role as Matty Flamhaff in 13 Going on 30. Before becoming famous for Planet of the Apes and Star Wars, Andy Serkis played the boss, Richard Kneeland, in the same film. Meanwhile, Jennifer Garner and Judy Greer, who both appeared in 13 Going on 30, are reuniting for the second season of the Apple TV+ series The Last Thing He Told Me.

The Last Thing He Told Me season 2 debuts on February 20, only on Apple TV.

Read More

2026-02-19 07:48