Sadie Sink, renowned for her role as Max Mayfield in Stranger Things, is set to join Tom Holland in the eagerly anticipated Spider-Man 4. According to Deadline, Sink, who debuted on the big screen in the 2016 film Chuck, will star in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) project. Filming is slated to begin later this year, with a release date set for July 31, 2026. Both Marvel and Sony have remained tight-lipped, offering no comments 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 tricky given Peter Parker's ongoing relationship with Michelle "MJ" Jones-Watson, portrayed 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, currently engaged in filming Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, is expected to transition to Spider-Man 4 once his current project wraps up, as per Deadline.
Last year, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige teased the integration of X-Men characters into the MCU's upcoming films. Speaking at the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, Feige hinted that fans would soon 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 future of the X-Men in the MCU, stating, "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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Considering Feige's comments, the next few MCU movies, potentially including Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July 2025, might introduce these X-Men characters. However, it seems more likely that mutant appearances will be more prominent in Phase 6 films, such as Avengers: Doomsday, Spider-Man 4, and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. The return of Deadpool and Wolverine, following their successful standalone film, and the potential reprise of Channing Tatum as Gambit, are also topics of interest.
Feige has emphasized the importance of the X-Men in the MCU's future post-Secret Wars. Reflecting on the narrative journey leading to Avengers: Endgame and the subsequent restart, he noted, "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 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, increasing speculation that one of these could be an X-Men film.
