Sadie Sink, best 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 slated to begin filming later this year with a release date set for July 31, 2026. Both Marvel and Sony have declined to comment on the report.
Speculation is rife about Sink's role, with Deadline suggesting she might portray the iconic X-Men character Jean Grey or another beloved redheaded character from the Spider-Man universe, such as Mary Jane Watson. However, integrating Mary Jane into the storyline could be challenging given Peter Parker's ongoing relationship with Michelle "MJ" Jones-Watson, played by Zendaya in previous films. Deadline indicates that Sink's role will be significant, hinting at a potential 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, who plays Spider-Man, is currently engaged in filming Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. Plans are in place for him to transition to Spider-Man 4 once he completes The Odyssey, as per Deadline.
Last year, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige teased the introduction of X-Men characters in upcoming MCU films. Speaking at the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, Feige mentioned that fans would see "some X-Men players that you might recognize" in the next few MCU movies, though he did not specify which characters or films. He further elaborated on the integration of the X-Men into the MCU, stating, "I think you will see that continues in our next few movies with some X-Men players that you might recognize. Right after that, the whole story of Secret Wars really leads us into a new age of mutants and of the X-Men. Again, [it's] one of those dreams come true. We finally have the X-Men back."
Every Confirmed Mutant in the MCU (So Far)
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At the time of Feige's comments, the next few MCU movies, assuming "few" means three, were Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, set for release in July 2025. However, more mutant appearances are likely to occur throughout Phase 6, which includes Avengers: Doomsday and Spider-Man 4 in 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. A key question is whether Deadpool and Wolverine will return to the MCU following their successful standalone film. There's also speculation about Channing Tatum reprising his role as Gambit.
Feige has emphasized that the X-Men will play a crucial role in the MCU's future post-Secret Wars. He stated, "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. In the short term, Storm made her first appearance in the wider MCU in What If...? Season 3. Additionally, Marvel Studios has 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.
