Earlier this month, Sadie Sink—who portrays Max Mayfield in *Stranger Things*—was rumored to be joining Tom Holland in Spider-Man 4, according to a report from Deadline. The outlet noted that Sink, who made her cinematic debut in the 2016 biographical sports drama *Chuck*, is set to appear in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film. Production is expected to begin later this year, with an official release date scheduled for July 31, 2026.
While neither Marvel nor Sony has officially confirmed the casting, Deadline speculated that Sink could portray X-Men character Jean Grey or another well-known red-haired figure from Spider-Man lore. Following the report, IGN explored various Marvel characters that Sadie Sink might bring to life in *Spider-Man 4* and beyond within the MCU.
In a recent interview with Josh Horowitz, Sadie Sink remained noncommittal about the Jean Grey/X-Men rumors but expressed enthusiasm over the speculation. When asked about the rumor, she replied, “This is news to me.” She further clarified that she had not spoken directly with Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige or any other Marvel representatives regarding the role of Jean Grey, stating, “I have nothing to say about this.”
Despite keeping details under wraps, Sink acknowledged the appeal of the character, saying, “The rumors are really cool though. It’s an awesome rumor!” She added, “I know Jean Grey—it’s a great character, so it was cool to read!” When questioned about the possibility of committing years of her career to portraying a major MCU character, she responded positively: “I think that’s super exciting.”
The conversation ended there, with Sink clearly choosing to remain tight-lipped. Horowitz suggested revisiting the topic once official confirmation surfaces regarding her involvement in the MCU.
Could Sadie Sink play Jean Grey in *Spider-Man 4*? Photo by Arturo Holmes/WireImage.
Back in late 2023, Marvel Studios’ chief Kevin Feige hinted at the arrival of recognizable X-Men figures in the “next few” MCU films. Speaking at the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, Feige teased, “I think you will see that continues in our next few movies with some X-Men players that you might recognize.” He also noted that the *Secret Wars* storyline would usher in a new era of mutants and X-Men integration into the MCU, calling it “one of those dreams come true.”
Feige previously indicated that Phase 7 of the MCU will likely be shaped significantly by the introduction of the X-Men. In the shorter term, Storm made her debut in *What If...? Season 3*, marking the first step toward full X-Men integration.
Looking ahead, Marvel has recently added three untitled films to its 2028 release calendar—February 18, May 5, and November 10—which many believe could include an *X-Men* installment. Whether or not *Spider-Man 4* serves as the first MCU appearance of Jean Grey or another mutant remains to be seen, but all signs point to an expanded mutant presence across Phase 6 and beyond.
