"Spider-Man 4: Sadie Sink Joins Cast as Jean Grey or Mary Jane"

Sadie Sink, known for her role as Max Mayfield in the hit series Stranger Things, is set to join Tom Holland in the much-anticipated Spider-Man 4. According to Deadline, Sink, who first appeared on the big screen in the 2016 film Chuck, will be part of this upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) project, scheduled to begin filming later this year with a release date set for July 31, 2026. Both Marvel and Sony have remained silent on the matter when approached by Deadline for comment.

Speculation is rife about Sink's role, with Deadline suggesting she could portray the iconic X-Men character Jean Grey or another beloved redheaded character from the Spider-Man universe, possibly Mary Jane Watson. This raises questions about how her character would integrate into the ongoing narrative, especially with Peter Parker's existing relationship with Michelle "MJ" Jones-Watson, portrayed by Zendaya. Given the significant events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where Peter's identity was erased from everyone's memory, Sink's role is expected to play a pivotal part in what could be a narrative reset.

Tom Holland, currently engaged in filming Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, is slated to transition to Spider-Man 4 once his current project concludes.

The MCU's future appears to be increasingly intertwined with the X-Men, as teased by Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige. At the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore last year, Feige hinted at the inclusion of recognizable X-Men characters in upcoming MCU films. He emphasized the significance of the X-Men in the MCU's future, particularly following the events of Avengers: Secret Wars, which he described as leading into a new era for mutants and the X-Men.

Every Confirmed Mutant in the MCU (So Far)

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The immediate future of the MCU includes Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July 2025. However, the real focus on mutants might come with Phase 6, featuring Avengers: Doomsday, Spider-Man 4, and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. The success of Deadpool and Wolverine this summer has sparked interest in whether these characters, along with others like Channing Tatum's Gambit, will return to the MCU.

Feige has confirmed that the X-Men will play a crucial role in the MCU post-Secret Wars. Reflecting on the narrative journey leading up to Avengers: Endgame and the subsequent rebuild, Feige noted that the road to Secret Wars is well-planned, with the X-Men being integral to the MCU's future.

Phase 7 of the MCU seems poised to be dominated by the X-Men, with Storm already making an appearance in What If...? Season 3. Moreover, Marvel Studios has added three untitled projects to its 2028 schedule, increasing speculation that one of these films might finally introduce the X-Men to the MCU.