Exciting news for fans of both Stranger Things and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU): Sadie Sink, renowned for her role as Max Mayfield in the hit series Stranger Things, is set to join the cast of Spider-Man 4 alongside Tom Holland. According to Deadline, Sink, who made her cinematic debut in the 2016 sports drama Chuck, will feature in this eagerly awaited MCU film, scheduled to start production later this year with a release targeted for July 31, 2026. Neither Marvel nor Sony have offered comments on this casting news.
Deadline speculates that Sink could be taking on the role of the iconic X-Men character Jean Grey or another beloved redheaded character from the Spider-Man universe, such as Mary Jane Watson. This casting choice raises questions about how it might impact Peter Parker's ongoing relationship with Michelle "MJ" Jones-Watson, portrayed by Zendaya in previous Spider-Man films. Deadline suggests that Sink's role will be significant, potentially signaling a narrative reset 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 Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, and plans are in place for him to transition to Spider-Man 4 upon completion, as reported by Deadline.
Last year, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige hinted at the integration of X-Men characters into the MCU's upcoming projects. Speaking at the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, Feige mentioned that fans could expect to see "some X-Men players that you might recognize" in the near future, though he refrained from specifying which characters or films.
Feige also emphasized the pivotal role of the X-Men in the MCU's future, stating, "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)
Assuming Feige meant the next three movies, the likely candidates for X-Men character introductions include Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts*, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps set for July 2025. However, it's more probable that mutants will feature prominently in Phase 6 films, such as Avengers: Doomsday and Spider-Man 4 in 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. The return of Deadpool and Wolverine to the MCU, following their successful standalone film, remains a hot topic, as does the potential return of Channing Tatum as Gambit.
Feige has outlined that the X-Men will play a crucial role in the MCU's future beyond 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."
This suggests that Phase 7 of the MCU will likely be heavily influenced by the X-Men. In the immediate future, Storm made her first appearance in the broader MCU in What If...? Season 3.
Furthermore, Marvel Studios added three untitled movie projects to its 2028 release schedule: February 18, 2028; May 5, 2028; and November 10, 2028. It's increasingly likely that one of these will be an X-Men film.
