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

Earlier this month, Sadie Sink, renowned for her role as Max Mayfield in the hit series Stranger Things, was reported to be joining the cast of Spider-Man 4 alongside Tom Holland. According to Deadline, Sink, who debuted in the film industry with the 2016 biographical sports drama Chuck, is set to appear in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie. Filming is slated to begin later this year, with the film scheduled for release on July 31, 2026.

When approached by Deadline, both Marvel and Sony declined to comment on the news. However, the publication speculated that Sink might portray the X-Men character Jean Grey or another iconic redheaded character from the Spider-Man universe.

Following this announcement, IGN explored the various Marvel characters Sadie Sink could potentially play in Spider-Man 4 and future MCU projects. The speculation has sparked a lively debate among fans about which role Sink might take on.

In a recent interview with Josh Horowitz, Sadie Sink remained elusive about the Jean Grey speculation. When asked about the rumors, she responded, "This is news to me." She confirmed she had not spoken to Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige or any Marvel representative about the role of 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 acknowledged her familiarity with the Jean Grey character, noting, "It’s a great character, so it was cool to read!" When asked about the prospect of dedicating significant time to a role in the MCU, she added, "I think that’s super exciting."

The interview concluded with Sink keeping her options open, and Horowitz suggested revisiting the topic once Sink's involvement in the MCU is officially confirmed.

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 mentioned that fans would see "some X-Men players that you might recognize" in the next few MCU movies, though he did not specify which characters or films.

Feige elaborated on the inclusion of the X-Men, 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."

Assuming "few" refers to three movies, the next MCU films in line are Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts*, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, set for release in July 2025. However, it seems more likely that mutant characters will appear in Phase 6 movies, 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 return of Channing Tatum as Gambit, are also topics of interest.

Feige has emphasized that the X-Men will play a significant role in the MCU's future post-Secret Wars. He 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 be heavily focused on the X-Men. In the short term, Storm made her first appearance in the wider MCU in What If...? Season 3.

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