Sadie Sink, best known for her role as Max Mayfield in Stranger Things, is reportedly set to join Tom Holland in the highly anticipated Spider-Man 4. According to Deadline, Sink, who made her film debut in the 2016 biographical sports drama Chuck, will be part of the upcoming MCU movie, which is scheduled to start filming later this year and is slated for release on July 31, 2026. Both Marvel and Sony remained silent when approached for comment by Deadline.

Speculation is rife that Sink 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 pose challenges given Peter Parker's ongoing relationship with Michelle "MJ" Jones-Watson, portrayed by Zendaya in previous films. Deadline suggests that Sink's role in Spider-Man 4 will be significant, potentially marking a new direction following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where Peter's identity was erased from everyone's memory.

Tom Holland is currently engaged in filming The Odyssey directed by Christopher Nolan, and plans are in place for him to transition directly into Spider-Man 4 upon completion.

Last year, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige hinted at the integration of X-Men characters into the MCU during the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore. Feige promised fans would see "some X-Men players that you might recognize" in upcoming MCU films, though he remained coy about specifics. He also emphasized that the narrative arc leading to Secret Wars would significantly involve mutants and the X-Men, heralding a new era for these characters in the MCU.

Every Confirmed Mutant in the MCU (So Far)

11 ImagesBased on current release schedules, the "next few" movies likely to introduce X-Men characters could be Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, set for July 2025. However, more mutant appearances are expected throughout Phase 6, including in Avengers: Doomsday, Spider-Man 4, and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. The success of the recent Deadpool and Wolverine movie raises questions about their potential return to the MCU, as well as whether Channing Tatum might reprise his role as Gambit.

Feige has emphasized that the X-Men will play a crucial role in the MCU's future post-Secret Wars. He noted that while preparing for Avengers: Endgame, the focus was on reaching a narrative climax, but the path to Secret Wars is already well-defined, with the X-Men integral to the storyline beyond that point.

It appears that Phase 7 of the MCU will be heavily focused on the X-Men. In the nearer future, Storm made her debut in the MCU in What If...? Season 3. Additionally, Marvel Studios has added three untitled projects to its 2028 release schedule, increasing speculation that one of these could be an X-Men film.