Earlier this month, Sadie Sink, renowned 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 2016 film Chuck, is set to star in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie, which is slated to start filming later this year and has a scheduled release date of July 31, 2026.
When approached for comment, both Marvel and Sony remained silent, leaving Deadline to speculate that Sink might portray the iconic X-Men character Jean Grey or another beloved redheaded character from the Spider-Man universe. In response, IGN delved into 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, Sadie Sink remained tight-lipped about the Jean Grey speculation but acknowledged the rumor with enthusiasm, stating, "This is news to me," and "The rumors are really cool though. It’s an awesome rumor!" She also expressed familiarity with the Jean Grey character, calling her "a great character," and showed excitement about the possibility of joining the MCU for an extended period, noting, "I think that’s super exciting."
The conversation ended with Sink keeping her future involvement under wraps, leaving Horowitz to suggest revisiting the topic once her role in the MCU might be officially confirmed.
Last year, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige hinted at the inclusion of X-Men characters in upcoming MCU films, stating at the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore that fans would encounter "some X-Men players that you might recognize" in the near future. Feige also mentioned that the narrative leading to Secret Wars would pave the way for a new era of mutants and the X-Men in the MCU, calling it "one of those dreams come true."
The next few MCU movies expected to feature these mutant characters include Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and the Phase Six opener, The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July 2025. However, it seems more probable that mutant appearances will be scattered throughout Phase 6, including Avengers: Doomsday and Spider-Man 4 in 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. This raises questions about the potential return of characters like Deadpool, Wolverine, and even Channing Tatum as Gambit.
Feige emphasized the significant role the X-Men would play in the MCU's future following Secret Wars, indicating a well-planned narrative trajectory that includes the mutants prominently in Phase 7. Meanwhile, Storm made her first appearance in the MCU in What If...? Season 3, signaling the beginning of their integration.
Additionally, Marvel Studios added three untitled projects to its 2028 release schedule, with dates set for February 18, May 5, and November 10, 2028. Speculation is rife that one of these films might be dedicated to the X-Men, further cementing their place in the MCU's evolving universe.
