Earlier this month, Sadie Sink, known 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 made her cinematic debut in the 2016 film *Chuck*, will star in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie, set to begin filming later this year with a scheduled release date of July 31, 2026.
Both Marvel and Sony remained tight-lipped when approached by *Deadline* for comments. However, the publication speculated 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 Sadie Sink could potentially play in *Spider-Man 4* and beyond within the MCU.
AnswerSee ResultsIn a recent interview with Josh Horowitz, Sadie Sink remained coy about the Jean Grey speculation but acknowledged the rumor with enthusiasm, saying, "This is news to me," and labeling it as "awesome." When asked if she had any discussions with Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige or other representatives about playing Jean Grey, Sink responded, "No. I have nothing to say about this." However, she added, "The rumors are really cool though. It's an awesome rumor!" Sink also expressed admiration for the Jean Grey character, calling it "a great character," and showed excitement about the possibility of dedicating years to a role in the MCU, stating, "I think that's super exciting."
The interview concluded with Sink keeping her options open, while Horowitz suggested revisiting the topic in the future when her involvement in the MCU might be confirmed.
Could Sadie Sink play Jean Grey in Spider-Man 4? Photo by Arturo Holmes/WireImage.
Last year, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige teased the integration of X-Men characters into the MCU's upcoming films. Speaking at the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, Feige hinted that fans would see "some X-Men players that you might recognize" in the next few MCU projects, though he did not specify which characters or films.
Feige elaborated on the MCU's plans for the X-Men, 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."
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The next few movies slated for release, assuming "few" means three, include *Captain America: Brave New World*, *Thunderbolts*, and the Phase Six opener *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* in July 2025. However, more mutant appearances are expected throughout Phase 6, which includes *Avengers: Doomsday* and *Spider-Man 4* in 2026, and *Avengers: Secret Wars* in 2027. There's also speculation about whether Deadpool and Wolverine might return to the MCU following their successful standalone film, and if Channing Tatum could reprise his role as Gambit.
Feige emphasized the significant role the X-Men will play in the MCU's future post-*Secret Wars*, saying, "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 heavily feature the X-Men, and in the short term, Storm made her MCU debut 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's increasingly likely that one of these films will be dedicated to the X-Men.
