Spider-Man 4 Casts Stranger Things’ Sadie Sink to Star Alongside Tom Holland, Reportedly as Either X-Men Favorite Jean Grey or Mary Jane Watson

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 be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's next installment, 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 news.

Speculation abounds that Sink might portray either the iconic X-Men character Jean Grey or another beloved redheaded figure from the Spider-Man universe, such as Mary Jane Watson. The introduction of Sink's character could add a new dynamic to Peter Parker's ongoing relationship with Michelle "MJ" Jones-Watson, portrayed by Zendaya in previous films. Given the significant role Sink is reportedly set to play, Spider-Man 4 might serve as a reset following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where Peter reintroduced himself to MJ after Doctor Strange erased his identity from everyone's memory.

Currently, Tom Holland is engaged in filming Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, and plans are in place for him to transition to Spider-Man 4 once that project wraps up.

Last year, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige hinted at the integration of X-Men characters into the MCU in upcoming films. Speaking at the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, Feige teased that fans would soon see "some X-Men players that you might recognize" in future MCU projects. He emphasized the significance of the X-Men in the MCU's narrative arc, particularly following Avengers: Secret Wars, which he described as leading into a "new age of mutants and of the X-Men."

Every Confirmed Mutant in the MCU (So Far)

11 ImagesWhile the exact timeline for the introduction of these characters remains unclear, the next few MCU movies could include Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July 2025. However, more mutant appearances are likely to occur in 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 movie, and the potential reintroduction of Channing Tatum as Gambit, are also topics of interest.

Feige has confirmed that the X-Men will play a crucial role in the MCU's future post-Secret Wars. He likened the MCU's narrative trajectory to the buildup and aftermath of Avengers: Endgame, indicating a well-planned story arc leading up to and beyond Secret Wars. It appears that Phase 7 of the MCU will be heavily focused on the X-Men.

Storm's appearance in What If...? Season 3 marks her first entry into the broader MCU, hinting at what's to come. Additionally, Marvel Studios has added three untitled movie projects to its 2028 schedule, with dates set for February 18, May 5, and November 10. One of these projects is increasingly speculated to be an X-Men film.