Sadie Sink Denies Jean Grey Rumors, Calls Them 'Awesome'

Earlier this month, Sadie Sink, renowned for her role as Max Mayfield in *Stranger Things*, was reported to be set to star alongside Tom Holland in *Spider-Man 4*. According to Deadline, Sink, who made her film debut in the 2016 biographical sports drama *Chuck*, will appear in the upcoming MCU movie. Filming is scheduled to begin later this year, with the film slated for a release on July 31, 2026.

While Marvel and Sony remained tight-lipped when contacted by Deadline, the publication speculated that Sink might portray either the X-Men character Jean Grey or another beloved redheaded character from the Spider-Man universe. In response, IGN conducted an in-depth analysis of the Marvel characters Sadie Sink could potentially play in *Spider-Man 4* and beyond within the MCU.

In a recent interview with Josh Horowitz, Sadie Sink remained coy about the Jean Grey and X-Men speculation but acknowledged the rumor as "awesome." When asked about the rumor, Sink stated, "This is news to me." She further clarified that she had not spoken to Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige or any Marvel representative about Jean Grey, stating, "No. I have nothing to say about this." However, she expressed enthusiasm about the rumors, saying, "The rumors are really cool though. It's an awesome rumor!" Sink also shared her appreciation for the Jean Grey character, noting, "It's a great character, so it was cool to read!" On the prospect of committing to a significant role in the MCU, Sink found the idea "super exciting." The interview concluded with Sink keeping her cards close to her chest, hinting at a potential revisit in the future when her involvement in the MCU might be confirmed.

Last year, Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige teased the introduction of X-Men characters in the "next few" MCU movies. At the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, Feige hinted that fans would see "some X-Men players that you might recognize" in upcoming MCU projects, without specifying which characters or movies. He emphasized 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."

Given the timeline, the "next few" movies could include *Captain America: Brave New World*, *Thunderbolts*, and *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* in July 2025. However, it seems more likely that mutant appearances will be more prominent in Phase 6 movies, such as *Avengers: Doomsday* and *Spider-Man 4* in 2026, and *Avengers: Secret Wars* in 2027. The return of characters like Deadpool and Wolverine, following the success of their standalone movie, and the potential reprisal of Channing Tatum as Gambit, are among the possibilities being considered.

Feige also highlighted the importance of the X-Men in the MCU's future post-*Secret Wars*, stating, "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." This suggests that Phase 7 of the MCU will be heavily influenced by the X-Men, while in the short term, Storm made her first appearance in the wider MCU in What If...? Season 3.

Furthermore, Marvel Studios has added three untitled movie projects to its 2028 release schedule: February 18, 2028; May 5, 2028; and November 10, 2028. It seems increasingly likely that one of these movies will be an X-Men film, marking a significant step in the integration of these beloved characters into the MCU.