Earlier this month, Sadie Sink, known for her role as Max Mayfield in Stranger Things, was reported to be joining the cast of Spider-Man 4 alongside Tom Holland. According to Deadline, Sink, who made her film debut in the 2016 biographical sports drama Chuck, is set to star in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie, which will begin filming later this year and is scheduled for release on July 31, 2026.
Neither Marvel nor Sony provided comments 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. Following this news, IGN explored various Marvel characters that Sadie Sink could potentially play in Spider-Man 4 and future MCU projects.
In a recent interview with Josh Horowitz, Sink remained evasive about the Jean Grey rumors. She expressed surprise at the speculation, stating, "This is news to me," and added, "I have nothing to say about this." However, she acknowledged the excitement around the rumor, saying, "The rumors are really cool though. It’s an awesome rumor!" Sink also praised the Jean Grey character, noting, "It’s a great character, so it was cool to read!" When asked about the possibility of dedicating significant time to an MCU role, she responded positively, "I think that’s super exciting."
The conversation ended with Sink keeping her potential involvement under wraps, but Horowitz hinted at revisiting the topic once Sink's role in the MCU is officially confirmed.
Last year, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige teased the integration of X-Men characters into the MCU in the "next few" movies. At the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, Feige mentioned that fans would see "some X-Men players that you might recognize" in upcoming films, though he did not specify which characters or movies. He further elaborated on the future of the X-Men within the MCU, stating, "Right after that, the whole story of Secret Wars really leads us into a new age of mutants and of the X-Men. Again, [it’s] one of those dreams come true. We finally have the X-Men back."
Feige has also indicated that the X-Men will play a significant role in the MCU's future post-Secret Wars. He explained, "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."
It appears that Phase 7 of the MCU will be heavily focused on the X-Men, though in the nearer future, Storm made her first appearance in the wider MCU in What If...? Season 3. Additionally, Marvel Studios added three untitled movie projects to its 2028 release schedule, with dates set for February 18, May 5, and November 10, 2028. It is increasingly likely that one of these films will be dedicated to the X-Men.
Could Sadie Sink play Jean Grey in Spider-Man 4? Photo by Arturo Holmes/WireImage.
