Earlier this month, Sadie Sink, best 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 debuted in the 2016 biographical sports drama *Chuck*, will star in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film, which is slated to start filming later this year and is set for a release on July 31, 2026. Although Marvel and Sony have not officially commented on this news, Deadline speculated that Sink might portray either the X-Men character Jean Grey or another iconic redheaded character from the Spider-Man universe.
IGN has since explored the various Marvel characters Sadie Sink could potentially play in *Spider-Man 4* and beyond within the MCU. Fans are eagerly speculating about her role, with many hoping to see her as a beloved character from the comic books.
AnswerSee ResultsIn a recent interview with Josh Horowitz, Sadie Sink addressed the speculation about her potentially playing Jean Grey in the MCU. While she remained coy on the subject, she acknowledged the rumor as "awesome." Sink stated, "This is news to me," when asked directly about the Jean Grey speculation. She confirmed she had not spoken to Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige or any other Marvel representatives about the role, saying, "No. I have nothing to say about this." However, she expressed enthusiasm about the character, saying, "It’s a great character, so it was cool to read!" When discussing the possibility of dedicating years to a role in the MCU, Sink remarked, "I think that’s super exciting." The interview concluded with Sink keeping her cards close to her chest, leaving fans eagerly awaiting any official confirmation.
Could Sadie Sink play Jean Grey in Spider-Man 4? Photo by Arturo Holmes/WireImage.
Late last year, Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige hinted at the integration of X-Men characters into the MCU's "next few" movies. At the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, Feige told fans they would see "some X-Men players that you might recognize" in upcoming films, although he did not specify which characters or movies. Discussing the broader integration of the X-Men, Feige added, "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."
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If we interpret "few" to mean three, the next few movies at the time of Feige's announcement were Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps scheduled for July 2025. However, it seems more probable that mutants will appear throughout Phase 6 movies, which include Avengers: Doomsday and Spider-Man 4 in 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. Key questions remain about whether characters like Deadpool, Wolverine, and possibly even Channing Tatum as Gambit will return to the MCU following the success of their recent standalone films.
Feige has also emphasized that the X-Men will play a significant role in the MCU's future post-*Secret Wars*. He explained, "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." This suggests that Phase 7 of the MCU will be heavily focused on the X-Men. In the shorter term, Storm made her first appearance in the wider MCU in *What If...? Season 3*.
Moreover, Marvel Studios has 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, further solidifying their place in the MCU's expansive universe.
