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 will star in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film, which is slated to begin filming later this year and is scheduled for release on July 31, 2026. Both Marvel and Sony have remained tight-lipped about the casting news.

Speculation is rife about the character Sink will portray. Deadline suggests she might take on the role of the X-Men's Jean Grey or another beloved redheaded Spider-Man character, such as Mary Jane Watson. However, integrating Mary Jane into the storyline poses challenges, given Peter Parker's ongoing relationship with Michelle "MJ" Jones-Watson, played by Zendaya in previous films. Given the significant events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where Peter reintroduces himself to MJ after his identity is erased from everyone's memory, Sink's role could signal a narrative reset.

Tom Holland, currently involved in filming Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, is expected to transition to Spider-Man 4 upon completion of his current project, according to Deadline.

Late last year, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige hinted at the inclusion of X-Men characters in upcoming MCU films. During the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, Feige mentioned that fans would soon see "some X-Men players that you might recognize" without specifying which characters or films. He emphasized that the narrative leading to Secret Wars would usher in a new era focused on mutants and the X-Men.

Every Confirmed Mutant in the MCU (So Far)

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Considering Feige's statement, the next few MCU movies likely to feature mutants include Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July 2025. However, it's more probable that significant mutant appearances will occur throughout Phase 6, which includes Avengers: Doomsday, Spider-Man 4, and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. The return of characters like Deadpool and Wolverine, following their successful standalone film, is a possibility, as is Channing Tatum reprising his role as Gambit.

Feige has also underscored the importance of the X-Men in the MCU's future post-Secret Wars. He mentioned that while planning Avengers: Endgame, the focus was on reaching a grand finale and then starting anew. This time, the roadmap to Secret Wars and beyond is clear, with the X-Men playing a pivotal role. Phase 7 of the MCU is expected to be dominated by the X-Men, with Storm already making an appearance in What If...? Season 3.

In October, Marvel Studios added three untitled movie projects to its 2028 release schedule: February 18, 2028; May 5, 2028; and November 10, 2028. It seems increasingly likely that one of these films will be dedicated to the X-Men.