Sadie Sink, known for her role as Max Mayfield in Stranger Things, is reportedly set to star alongside Tom Holland in the upcoming Spider-Man 4. According to Deadline, Sink, who made her film debut in the 2016 biographical sports drama Chuck, will join the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie, which is scheduled to start filming later this year and is slated for release on July 31, 2026. Both Marvel and Sony have declined to comment on the report.

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

Speculation is rife that Sink could portray the iconic X-Men character Jean Grey or another beloved redheaded Spider-Man character, such as Mary Jane Watson. However, integrating Mary Jane into the narrative could pose challenges given Peter Parker's ongoing relationship with Michelle "MJ" Jones-Watson, portrayed by Zendaya in previous Spider-Man films. Deadline suggests that Sink's role in Spider-Man 4 will be significant, potentially signaling a narrative reset following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where Peter reintroduces himself to MJ after Doctor Strange erases his identity from everyone's memory.

Tom Holland, currently filming The Odyssey with Christopher Nolan, is expected to begin shooting Spider-Man 4 upon completion of his current 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 "next few" MCU movies during the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore. While he did not specify which characters or films, Feige confirmed that fans would see familiar X-Men faces in upcoming projects. He emphasized the importance of the X-Men in the MCU's future, particularly in the context of Secret Wars, which he believes will usher in a "new age of mutants and of the X-Men."

Every Confirmed Mutant in the MCU (So Far)

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At the time of Feige's comments, the next few MCU movies included Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, set for July 2025. More likely, mutant appearances will continue throughout Phase 6 movies, including Avengers: Doomsday and Spider-Man 4 in 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. Questions remain about the return of characters like Deadpool and Wolverine, following their successful standalone movie, and whether Channing Tatum might reprise his role as Gambit.

Feige has emphasized the significance of the X-Men in the MCU's future post-Secret Wars. 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 focused on the X-Men, with Storm already making an appearance in What If...? Season 3. Additionally, Marvel Studios has added three untitled movie projects to its 2028 release schedule, increasing speculation that one of these could be an X-Men film.