Earlier this month, Sadie Sink, renowned for her role as Max Mayfield in the hit series *Stranger Things*, was reported to be joining Tom Holland in the much-anticipated Spider-Man 4. According to Deadline, Sink, who first graced the screen in the 2016 film *Chuck*, is set to appear in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie. Filming is scheduled to commence later this year, with the film slated for release on July 31, 2026.
When approached for comment, both Marvel and Sony remained tight-lipped, but Deadline speculated that Sink could be portraying either the iconic X-Men character Jean Grey or another beloved redheaded figure from the Spider-Man universe. Following this news, IGN provided an in-depth analysis of the various Marvel characters Sink might embody in *Spider-Man 4* and beyond within the MCU.
In a recent interview with Josh Horowitz, Sadie Sink remained elusive about the Jean Grey rumors but acknowledged their appeal, saying, "This is news to me." When questioned about any communication with Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige or other representatives regarding Jean Grey, she simply stated, "No. I have nothing to say about this." However, she couldn't help but express her excitement about the rumors, calling them "awesome" and the character of Jean Grey "a great character."
Sink also shared her thoughts on the potential long-term commitment to a role in the MCU, saying, "I think that’s super exciting." The conversation ended with Sink keeping her options open, while Horowitz hinted at revisiting the topic once Sink's role in the MCU is officially confirmed.
Late last year, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige hinted at the integration of X-Men characters into upcoming MCU films. During the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, Feige revealed that fans could expect "some X-Men players that you might recognize" in the near future, though he refrained from specifying which characters or films.
Feige emphasized the significance of the X-Men in the MCU's future, 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."
If "few" refers to three movies, the next MCU films at the time of Feige's comments were *Captain America: Brave New World*, *Thunderbolts*, and *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* slated for July 2025. However, it's more likely that mutants will feature prominently in Phase 6, including *Avengers: Doomsday*, *Spider-Man 4*, and *Avengers: Secret Wars* in 2027. The return of Deadpool and Wolverine, following their successful standalone movie, and the potential reprise of Channing Tatum as Gambit are among the possibilities.
Feige has also stated that the X-Men will be a pivotal part of the MCU's future post-*Secret Wars*. Reflecting on the narrative journey leading up to and following *Secret Wars*, Feige remarked, "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."
It appears that Phase 7 of the MCU will heavily feature the X-Men, but in the interim, Storm made her debut in the MCU with *What If...? Season 3*. Moreover, Marvel Studios added three untitled movie projects to its 2028 release schedule on February 18, May 5, and November 10, suggesting that one of these could be an X-Men film.