Sadie Sink Joins Spider-Man 4 Cast with Tom Holland, Possibly as Jean Grey or Mary Jane

Sadie Sink, known for her role as Max Mayfield in Stranger Things, is set to join Tom Holland in the highly anticipated Spider-Man 4. 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. Filming is slated to begin later this year, with a release date set for July 31, 2026. Both Marvel and Sony have remained silent on these reports when approached by Deadline.

Could Sadie Sink play Jean Grey in Spider-Man 4? Photo by Arturo Holmes/WireImage.

Speculation is rife about Sink's character, with suggestions ranging from the iconic X-Men member Jean Grey to another beloved redheaded character from the Spider-Man universe, possibly Mary Jane Watson. Integrating Mary Jane could pose challenges given Peter Parker's ongoing relationship with Michelle "MJ" Jones-Watson, portrayed by Zendaya in prior films. Deadline suggests that Sink's role will be significant, hinting at a potential narrative reset following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where Peter reintroduces himself to MJ after his identity is erased from everyone's memory by Doctor Strange.

Tom Holland is currently engaged in filming Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey and plans to transition directly into Spider-Man 4 upon completion, as per Deadline.

Jean Grey in the comics. Image credit: Marvel Comics.

Last year, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige hinted at the inclusion of X-Men characters in upcoming MCU films. Speaking at the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, Feige mentioned that fans would encounter "some X-Men players that you might recognize" in the near future, though he did not specify which characters or movies. 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)

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Considering the MCU's upcoming slate, if "few" implies three movies, the next films in line are Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps set for July 2025. However, it seems more likely that mutant appearances will be sprinkled throughout Phase 6, including 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 whether Channing Tatum will reprise his role as Gambit, remain open questions.

Feige has emphasized that the X-Men will play a pivotal role in the MCU's future post-Secret Wars. Reflecting on the MCU's journey, he noted, "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 influenced by the X-Men. In the short term, Storm made her debut in the wider MCU in What If...? Season 3. Additionally, Marvel Studios has added three untitled movie projects to its 2028 release schedule: February 18, 2028; May 5, 2028; and November 10, 2028, with one of these likely to be an X-Men film.