Earlier this month, Sadie Sink, known for her role as Max Mayfield in 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 film Chuck, will star in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie, set to start filming later this year with a scheduled release on July 31, 2026. While Marvel and Sony remained tight-lipped when approached by Deadline, the outlet speculated that Sink might portray either the X-Men character Jean Grey or another iconic redheaded Spider-Man character.
In response, IGN delved into potential roles for Sadie Sink within the MCU, beyond just Spider-Man 4. Meanwhile, in a recent interview with Josh Horowitz, Sink played it cool regarding the Jean Grey rumors. She expressed surprise at the speculation, saying, "This is news to me," yet found the idea thrilling. "The rumors are really cool though. It’s an awesome rumor!" she added, acknowledging her familiarity with the character: "It’s a great character, so it was cool to read!" When asked about the possibility of dedicating time to an MCU role, Sink showed enthusiasm: "I think that’s super exciting."
The interview ended with Sink keeping her involvement under wraps, leaving Horowitz to suggest revisiting the topic once her role is confirmed. The buzz around Sink's potential involvement comes as Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige hinted at the integration of X-Men characters into the MCU's upcoming films. Speaking at the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, Feige teased that fans would encounter "some X-Men players that you might recognize" in the near future, without specifying which characters or movies.
Feige also elaborated on the broader narrative arc, mentioning that the storyline of Secret Wars would usher in a new era for mutants and the X-Men within the MCU. This aligns with the studio's plans for Phase 7, where the X-Men are expected to play a significant role. In the interim, Storm made her MCU debut in What If...? Season 3, signaling the gradual introduction of X-Men characters.
Looking ahead, Marvel Studios has added three untitled movie projects to its 2028 release schedule, with dates set for February 18, May 5, and November 10. Speculation is rife that one of these slots could be reserved for an X-Men film, marking a pivotal expansion of the MCU.
