Sadie Sink, known for her role as Max Mayfield in Stranger Things, is set to join Tom Holland in the highly anticipated Spider-Man 4. According to Deadline, Sink, who debuted in the 2016 film Chuck, will be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's (MCU) next installment, which is slated to start filming later this year and is scheduled for release on July 31, 2026. Both Marvel and Sony have remained tight-lipped about the news when approached by Deadline.
Speculation is rife about Sink's role, with suggestions that she might portray the iconic X-Men character Jean Grey or another beloved redheaded character from the Spider-Man universe, such as Mary Jane Watson. However, integrating Mary Jane into the storyline could be tricky given Peter Parker's ongoing relationship with Michelle "MJ" Jones-Watson, portrayed by Zendaya in previous films. Deadline indicates that Sink's role will be significant, hinting at a potential reset following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where Peter reintroduces himself to MJ after Doctor Strange erases his identity from everyone's memory.
Tom Holland, currently engaged in filming Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, is expected to transition to Spider-Man 4 once his current project wraps up, as per Deadline.
Last year, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige hinted at the introduction of X-Men characters in upcoming MCU films. Speaking at the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, Feige teased that fans would see "some X-Men players that you might recognize" in the near future, though he did not specify which characters or films. 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 of Feige's comments, the next few MCU movies, assuming "few" means three, were Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, set for July 2025. However, it seems more likely that mutant characters will appear in Phase 6 films, 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 among the key questions fans are eager to have answered.
Feige has emphasized the importance of the X-Men in the MCU's future post-Secret Wars. Reflecting on the narrative journey leading up to Avengers: Endgame, he noted, "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 debut in the MCU in What If...? Season 3. Additionally, Marvel Studios has added three untitled movie projects to its 2028 release schedule: February 18, 2028; May 5, 2028; and November 10, 2028, with one of these likely to be an X-Men film.
