Sadie Sink Joins Spider-Man 4 Cast with Tom Holland

Sadie Sink, known for her role as Max Mayfield in Stranger Things, is reportedly set to star alongside Tom Holland in the upcoming Spider-Man 4. According to Deadline, Sink, who made her film debut in the 2016 biographical sports drama Chuck, will feature in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film, which is scheduled to start filming later this year and is slated for release on July 31, 2026. Both Marvel and Sony declined to comment on the report when approached by Deadline.

Speculation from Deadline suggests that Sink could be playing the X-Men character Jean Grey or another iconic redheaded Spider-Man character, possibly Mary Jane Watson. However, how her introduction would integrate into Peter Parker's ongoing relationship with Michelle "MJ" Jones-Watson, portrayed by Zendaya in previous films, remains unclear. Given the significant role Sink is expected to play, Spider-Man 4 might serve as a soft 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, who is currently involved in shooting Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, is expected to transition to Spider-Man 4 once his work on Nolan's film concludes, according to Deadline.

Last year, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige hinted at the inclusion of X-Men characters in upcoming MCU 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. 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 films, assumed to be three, included 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 movies such as Avengers: Doomsday, Spider-Man 4, and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. There is also speculation about whether Deadpool and Wolverine will return to the MCU following the success of their recent standalone film, and if Channing Tatum might reprise his role as Gambit.

Feige has emphasized the significant role the X-Men will play in the future of the MCU, particularly following Secret Wars. "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," he said. "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. Additionally, Marvel Studios added three untitled movie projects to its 2028 release schedule: February 18, 2028; May 5, 2028; and November 10, 2028, with one of these potentially being an X-Men film.