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

Sadie Sink, known for her role as Max Mayfield in the hit series Stranger Things, is set to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Spider-Man 4, starring alongside Tom Holland. According to Deadline, the film, which is slated to start production later this year and is scheduled for release on July 31, 2026, will feature Sink in a significant role. Both Marvel and Sony have remained tight-lipped about the casting news when approached by Deadline.

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

Speculation is rife that Sink might portray either the iconic X-Men character Jean Grey or another beloved redheaded character from the Spider-Man universe, possibly Mary Jane Watson. This casting choice raises questions about how her character will integrate with Peter Parker's existing relationship with Michelle "MJ" Jones-Watson, portrayed by Zendaya in the previous films. The narrative of Spider-Man 4 could serve as a reset following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where Peter Parker's identity was erased from everyone's memory.

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

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

In recent comments, 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 mentioned that fans could expect to see "some X-Men players" in the next few MCU movies, though he did not specify which characters or films. He further elaborated on the broader inclusion of mutants, stating that the storyline of Secret Wars would lead into a new era of the X-Men within the MCU.

Every Confirmed Mutant in the MCU (So Far)

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Looking ahead, potential mutant appearances are anticipated in Phase 6 films, including Avengers: Doomsday and Spider-Man 4 in 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. The return of characters like Deadpool and Wolverine, following their successful standalone film, and the possibility of Channing Tatum reprising his role as Gambit are among the topics generating excitement.

Feige has confirmed that the X-Men will play a significant role in the MCU's future, especially post-Secret Wars. He reflected on the narrative planning after Avengers: Endgame and emphasized that the roadmap to Secret Wars and beyond is well-defined, with the X-Men being a central part of this future.

Phase 7 of the MCU is expected to be heavily influenced by 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, fueling speculation that one of these could be an X-Men film.