Sadie Sink, known for her role as Max Mayfield in Stranger Things, is reportedly set to join 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, will feature in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie, which is slated to start filming later this year and is scheduled for release on July 31, 2026. Both Marvel and Sony have remained silent on the matter when approached for comments.
Could Sadie Sink play Jean Grey in Spider-Man 4? Photo by Arturo Holmes/WireImage.
Deadline speculates that Sink might portray the X-Men character Jean Grey or another beloved redheaded Spider-Man character, such as Mary Jane Watson. However, integrating Mary Jane into the storyline could be challenging given Peter Parker's ongoing relationship with Michelle "MJ" Jones-Watson, portrayed by Zendaya in previous films. The role is said to be significant, potentially signaling a new direction for the series following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where Peter reintroduced himself to MJ after Doctor Strange erased his identity from everyone's memory.
Tom Holland is currently engaged in filming The Odyssey directed by Christopher Nolan and is expected to transition to Spider-Man 4 once he wraps up that project, according to Deadline.
Jean Grey in the comics. Image credit: Marvel Comics.
Last year, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige hinted at the introduction of X-Men characters in the upcoming MCU 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 movies but did not specify which characters or films. He further elaborated on the integration of the X-Men into the MCU, 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."
Every Confirmed Mutant in the MCU (So Far)
11 Images
If we interpret "few" as three movies, the next in line were Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps set for July 2025. However, it seems more probable that mutants will feature prominently in Phase 6 films, including Avengers: Doomsday and Spider-Man 4 in 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. This raises the question of whether characters like Deadpool and Wolverine, fresh from their successful standalone film, will make a return to the MCU. There's also speculation about Channing Tatum reprising his role as Gambit.
Feige has emphasized the pivotal role of the X-Men in the MCU's future post-Secret Wars. He reflected on the narrative journey leading up to Avengers: Endgame and noted, "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 shorter term, Storm made her debut in the wider MCU through What If...? Season 3. Additionally, Marvel Studios has added three untitled projects to its 2028 release schedule: February 18, 2028; May 5, 2028; and November 10, 2028, with speculation mounting that one of these slots will be filled by an X-Men film.
