Earlier this month, Sadie Sink—who has captivated audiences as Max Mayfield in *Stranger Things*—was reported to be joining Tom Holland in the upcoming *Spider-Man 4*. According to Deadline, Sink, who made her film debut in the 2016 biographical sports drama *Chuck*, is set to appear in the highly anticipated MCU installment. The film is scheduled to begin production later this year and is currently slated for a July 31, 2026 release date.
While neither Marvel nor Sony officially confirmed the news to *Deadline*, the outlet speculated that Sink could portray either Jean Grey—a beloved X-Men figure—or “another iconic redheaded Spider-Man character.” Following this report, *IGN* explored potential Marvel roles Sadie Sink might take on in *Spider-Man 4* and beyond within the ever-expanding MCU.
When recently asked about the speculation surrounding a potential Jean Grey/X-Men role during an interview with Josh Horowitz, Sink remained noncommittal but expressed enthusiasm for the rumor itself.
“This is news to me,” she said when questioned about the Jean Grey casting rumor. When pressed on whether she had spoken directly with Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige or any Marvel representative regarding the role, she simply replied, “No. I have nothing to say about this.”
She added, “The rumors are really cool though. It’s an awesome rumor!”
Sink acknowledged familiarity with the Jean Grey character, stating, “It’s a great character, so it was cool to read!”
Asked about the possibility of dedicating a significant portion of her career to portraying a long-term MCU character, Sink responded positively: “I think that’s super exciting.”
Beyond that, Sink kept details close to her chest, leaving fans curious and media outlets speculating. Horowitz hinted at revisiting the conversation once official confirmation surfaces.
Last year, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige teased that some recognizable X-Men characters would appear across the next several MCU films. Speaking at the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, Feige stated: “I think you will see that continues in our next few movies with some X-Men players that you might recognize.”
He further elaborated: “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.”
Which MCU Movies Could Introduce X-Men Characters?
If “next few” refers to three upcoming releases, they could include *Captain America: Brave New World*, *Thunderbolts\**, and *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* (slated for July 2025). However, it's more likely that mutant introductions will unfold gradually throughout Phase 6, which includes *Avengers: Doomsday* and *Spider-Man 4* in 2026, followed by *Avengers: Secret Wars* in 2027.
One intriguing question remains: Will Ryan Reynolds’ and Hugh Jackman’s characters—Deadpool and Wolverine—return to the MCU following their successful summer movie? And could Channing Tatum reprise his Gambit role?
Feige has emphasized that the X-Men will play a pivotal role in the MCU’s future post-*Secret Wars*. He explained, “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.”
Based on current projections, Phase 7 of the MCU may be heavily influenced by the X-Men storyline. In the immediate term, Storm made her MCU debut in *What If...? Season 3*, signaling the beginning of mutant integration into the broader cinematic universe.
In October 2024, Marvel announced three untitled films set for 2028: February 18, May 5, and November 10. Industry insiders increasingly believe one of these titles could be the long-awaited *X-Men* reboot, marking the franchise's full-circle return to the big screen under the Marvel Studios umbrella.
