Earlier this month, Sadie Sink, known for her role as Max Mayfield in the hit series Stranger Things, was reported to be joining the cast of Spider-Man 4 alongside Tom Holland. According to Deadline, Sink, who debuted in the film industry with the 2016 biographical sports drama Chuck, is set to appear in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie. Filming is slated to start later this year, with a scheduled release on July 31, 2026.
Neither Marvel nor Sony commented on the report when approached by Deadline, but the outlet speculated that Sink might portray either the X-Men character Jean Grey or another beloved redheaded character from the Spider-Man universe. In response, IGN explored the various Marvel characters Sink could potentially play in Spider-Man 4 and beyond within the MCU.
AnswerSee ResultsIn a recent interview with Josh Horowitz, Sink remained tight-lipped about the Jean Grey speculation but acknowledged that the rumor was "awesome." When questioned about the rumor, she stated, "This is news to me." Sink confirmed she had not spoken to Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige or any Marvel representatives about playing Jean Grey, saying, "No. I have nothing to say about this." However, she expressed enthusiasm about the character and the rumors, noting, "The rumors are really cool though. It’s an awesome rumor! It’s a great character, so it was cool to read!" When asked about the possibility of dedicating significant time to a role in the MCU, Sink responded positively, "I think that’s super exciting."
The interview concluded with Sink keeping her cards close to her chest, while Horowitz suggested revisiting the topic once Sink's involvement in the MCU is officially confirmed. Could Sadie Sink play Jean Grey in Spider-Man 4? The speculation continues, fueled by a photo by Arturo Holmes/WireImage.
Last year, Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige hinted at the introduction of X-Men characters in the "next few" MCU movies during the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore. Feige teased, "I think you will see that continues in our next few movies with some X-Men players that you might recognize," but did not specify which characters or films. He also mentioned that the storyline of Secret Wars would lead into a new era for mutants and the X-Men in the MCU, describing it as "one of those dreams come true. We finally have the X-Men back."
The next few movies, if we consider "few" to mean three, include Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts*, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July 2025. However, mutant appearances are more likely to be spread throughout Phase 6, which includes 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday and Spider-Man 4, as well as 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars. The return of Deadpool and Wolverine, following their successful standalone movie, and the potential return of Channing Tatum as Gambit, are also topics of interest.
Feige emphasized the importance of the X-Men in the MCU's future following Secret Wars, stating, "When we were preparing for Avengers: Endgame years ago, it was a question of getting to the grand finale of our narrative, and then we had to start all over again after that. This time, on the road to Secret Wars, we already know very well what the story is going to be until then and afterwards. The X-Men are an important part of that future." This suggests that Phase 7 of the MCU will be heavily focused on the X-Men. In the short term, Storm made her first appearance in the wider MCU in What If...? Season 3.
In October, Marvel Studios added three untitled movie projects to its 2028 release schedule: February 18, 2028; May 5, 2028; and November 10, 2028. It seems increasingly likely that one of these films will be an X-Men movie, further cementing their role in the MCU's future.
