Sadie Sink Joins Spider-Man 4 Cast with Tom Holland

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, who debuted in the 2016 film Chuck, will be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's (MCU) next installment, which is slated to start filming later this year and is scheduled for release on July 31, 2026. Both Marvel and Sony have remained tight-lipped about the news when approached by Deadline.

Could Sadie Sink play Jean Grey in Spider-Man 4? Photo by Arturo Holmes/WireImage.

Speculation is rife about Sink's character, with Deadline suggesting she might portray the iconic X-Men character Jean Grey or another beloved redheaded Spider-Man character, possibly 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. It's clear that Sink's role will be significant, potentially marking a fresh start for the franchise 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.

Jean Grey in the comics. Image credit: Marvel Comics.

Last year, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige hinted at the integration of X-Men characters into the MCU's 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 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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If we interpret "few" to mean three, the next MCU movies in line are Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July 2025. However, it's more likely that mutant characters will appear in Phase 6 films, including Avengers: Doomsday and Spider-Man 4 in 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. The return of Deadpool and Wolverine, following their successful standalone film, and the potential reintroduction of Channing Tatum as Gambit, are also points 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 up to Avengers: Endgame, 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 focused on the X-Men. In the short term, Storm made her debut in What If...? Season 3, marking her first appearance in the broader MCU.

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's increasingly likely that one of these films will be dedicated to the X-Men.