Sadie Sink, known for her role as Max Mayfield in Stranger Things, is reportedly set to join Tom Holland in Spider-Man 4. According to Deadline, Sink, who debuted in the 2016 film Chuck, will star in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie, which is scheduled to start filming later this year and is slated for release on July 31, 2026. Both Marvel and Sony have remained silent on the matter when approached by Deadline.
Speculation from Deadline suggests that Sink might portray the X-Men character Jean Grey or another iconic redheaded character from the Spider-Man universe, such as Mary Jane Watson. This casting choice raises questions about how her introduction will mesh with Peter Parker's ongoing relationship with Michelle "MJ" Jones-Watson, portrayed by Zendaya in previous films. Given the narrative reset initiated by Spider-Man: No Way Home, where Peter reintroduces himself to MJ following Doctor Strange's memory-wiping spell, Sink's role is expected to be significant.
Tom Holland, currently engaged in filming Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, is set to transition to Spider-Man 4 once his work on The Odyssey concludes, according to Deadline.
Last year, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige hinted at the inclusion of X-Men characters in the "next few" MCU films. Speaking at the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, Feige promised the appearance of recognizable X-Men figures without specifying which characters or in which movies. He further elaborated on the integration of the X-Men into the MCU, stating, "I think you will see that continues in our next few movies with some X-Men players that you might recognize. 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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At the time, Marvel's upcoming slate, if interpreted as "few" meaning three, included Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps set for July 2025. However, it seems more probable that mutant characters will feature prominently in Phase 6 films such as Avengers: Doomsday, Spider-Man 4, and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. A key question remains whether Deadpool and Wolverine will return to the MCU following their successful standalone film, and if Channing Tatum might reprise his role as Gambit.
Feige has emphasized the significant role the X-Men will play in the MCU's future post-Secret Wars. "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," Feige explained. "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, but in the near term, Storm made her debut in the wider MCU in What If...? Season 3. Additionally, Marvel Studios has added three untitled movie projects to its 2028 schedule, increasing the likelihood that one of these will be an X-Men film.
