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 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 begin later this year, with the film scheduled for release on July 31, 2026.
When approached by Deadline, both Marvel and Sony declined to comment on the news. However, the publication speculated that Sink might portray either the X-Men character Jean Grey or another iconic redheaded character from the Spider-Man universe.
Following this announcement, IGN delved into the potential Marvel characters Sadie Sink could embody in Spider-Man 4 and future MCU projects.
In a recent interview with Josh Horowitz, Sadie Sink remained elusive about the Jean Grey speculation but acknowledged the rumor as "awesome." When asked about the rumor, Sink responded, "This is news to me." She confirmed she had not spoken to Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige or any Marvel representative about playing Jean Grey, stating, "No. I have nothing to say about this." However, she expressed enthusiasm about the rumors, 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 considering the potential commitment to a long-term role in the MCU, Sink remarked, "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 officially confirmed.
Last year, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige hinted at the integration of X-Men characters into the MCU's upcoming films. Speaking at the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, Feige mentioned that fans would see "some X-Men players that you might recognize" in the next few MCU movies, though he did not specify which characters or films. He further elaborated on the inclusion of the X-Men, stating, "I think you will see that continues in our next few movies with some X-Men players that you might recognize. 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."
The next few MCU 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, it seems more likely that mutant characters will appear throughout Phase 6, which includes Avengers: Doomsday and Spider-Man 4 in 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. The return of Deadpool and Wolverine, following their successful standalone film, and the potential reprise of Channing Tatum as Gambit, are among the key questions.
Feige has also emphasized the significant role the X-Men will play in the MCU's future post-Secret Wars. Reflecting on the narrative journey, he said, "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. In the short term, Storm made her debut in the 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 dedicated to the X-Men.
