Earlier this month, Sadie Sink, known for her role as Max Mayfield in *Stranger Things*, was rumored to be joining Tom Holland in *Spider-Man 4*. According to Deadline, Sink, who debuted in the 2016 film *Chuck*, is set to star in this upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie, slated to start filming later this year and scheduled for release on July 31, 2026.

While Marvel and Sony did not comment on the news, Deadline speculated that Sink might portray either the X-Men's Jean Grey or another iconic redheaded character from the Spider-Man universe. Following this, IGN explored various Marvel characters Sink could potentially play in *Spider-Man 4* and beyond within the MCU.

In a recent interview with Josh Horowitz, Sink remained elusive about the Jean Grey speculation but expressed excitement about the rumors. She stated, "This is news to me," in response to the Jean Grey / X-Men rumor. When asked if she had discussed the role with Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige or any Marvel representative, she simply replied, "No," and added, "I have nothing to say about this." However, she acknowledged the allure of the rumors, saying, "The rumors are really cool though. It’s an awesome rumor!" Sink also praised the Jean Grey character, noting, "It’s a great character, so it was cool to read!" On the possibility of dedicating years to a role in the MCU, she said, "I think that’s super exciting."

The conversation ended with Sink keeping her cards close to her chest, hinting at a future discussion once any role in the MCU is confirmed. The accompanying photo, credited to Arturo Holmes/WireImage, further fuels speculation about Sink's potential as Jean Grey.

Last year, Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige teased the integration of X-Men characters into the MCU's "next few" movies. Speaking at the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, Feige mentioned that fans would encounter "some X-Men players that you might recognize" in upcoming films but did not specify which characters or movies. He emphasized the importance of the X-Men in the MCU's future, particularly after *Secret Wars*, saying, "Right after that, the whole story of Secret Wars really leads us into a new age of mutants and of the X-Men."

Assuming "few" means three, the next MCU movies could include *Captain America: Brave New World*, *Thunderbolts*, and *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* in July 2025. However, more likely scenarios involve mutant appearances in Phase 6 movies such as *Avengers: Doomsday* and *Spider-Man 4* in 2026, and *Avengers: Secret Wars* in 2027. The potential return of Deadpool and Wolverine, following their successful standalone film, and the possibility of Channing Tatum reprising his role as Gambit, add further intrigue.

Feige has confirmed that the X-Men will play a significant role in the MCU's future post-*Secret Wars*. He noted, "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."

Phase 7 of the MCU seems set to be dominated by the X-Men, with Storm already making an appearance in What If...? Season 3, marking her entry into the broader MCU. Additionally, Marvel Studios has scheduled three untitled movie projects for release in 2028: February 18, May 5, and November 10. It's increasingly likely that one of these will be an X-Men film.