Earlier this month, Sadie Sink, renowned for her role as Max Mayfield in Stranger Things, was reported to be joining Tom Holland in the highly anticipated Spider-Man 4. According to Deadline, Sink, who debuted in the 2016 film Chuck, is set to appear in this upcoming MCU movie, scheduled to start filming later this year with a release date set for July 31, 2026.
While Marvel and Sony have yet to comment on these reports, Deadline speculated that Sink could portray the X-Men character Jean Grey or another beloved redheaded Spider-Man character. IGN has since explored the various Marvel characters Sink might play in Spider-Man 4 and potentially beyond in the MCU.
AnswerSee ResultsIn a recent interview with Josh Horowitz, Sadie Sink remained elusive about the Jean Grey / X-Men rumors, yet she acknowledged the speculation as "awesome." When asked about the rumors, Sink responded, "This is news to me," and when pressed further about any discussions with Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige or any Marvel representative about playing Jean Grey, she simply said, "No. I have nothing to say about this." However, she expressed enthusiasm about the character and the rumors, stating, "The rumors are really cool though. It’s an awesome rumor!" Sink also showed excitement about the prospect of dedicating a significant amount of time to a role in the MCU, saying, "I think that’s super exciting."
The interview concluded with Sink keeping her options open, and Horowitz suggested revisiting the topic once Sink's involvement in the MCU is confirmed.
Last year, Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige hinted at the integration of X-Men characters into the MCU's "next few" films. At the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, Feige teased that fans would encounter "some X-Men players that you might recognize" in upcoming MCU movies, though he did not specify which characters or films. He emphasized the significance of mutants and X-Men in the MCU's future, particularly following Secret Wars, saying, "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."
Considering the MCU's upcoming slate, if "few" means three, the next movies would be Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts*, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July 2025. However, it's more likely that mutant appearances will feature prominently in Phase 6 movies, including Avengers: Doomsday and Spider-Man 4 in 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. The success of Deadpool and Wolverine this summer raises questions about their return to the MCU, as well as the potential for Channing Tatum to reprise his role as Gambit.
Feige has also stated that the X-Men will play a crucial role in the MCU's future post-Secret Wars. He reflected on the planning for Avengers: Endgame and the subsequent narrative rebuilding, noting, "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 influenced by the X-Men. In the short term, the character Storm made her debut in the MCU in What If...? Season 3. Additionally, Marvel Studios has added three untitled movie projects to its 2028 release schedule on February 18, May 5, and November 10, increasing the likelihood that one of these films will be dedicated to the X-Men.
