Sadie Sink, known for her role as Max Mayfield in the hit series Stranger Things, is reportedly set to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in Spider-Man 4 alongside Tom Holland. According to Deadline, filming for the movie is slated to begin later this year, with a release date set for July 31, 2026. Both Marvel and Sony have remained tight-lipped on the matter, offering no official comments when approached by Deadline.

Speculation abounds about the character Sink might portray, with possibilities including the iconic X-Men member Jean Grey or another beloved redheaded Spider-Man character, potentially Mary Jane Watson. The latter option raises questions about how it would fit into 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, hinting at a possible narrative reset following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where Peter's identity was erased from everyone's memory.

Tom Holland, currently engaged in filming Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, is expected to transition to Spider-Man 4 upon completion of that project, as per Deadline's report.

Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige has hinted at the integration of X-Men characters into the MCU, mentioning during the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore that fans would soon see "some X-Men players that you might recognize" in upcoming films. Feige further elaborated that the narrative of Secret Wars would pave the way for a new era focused on mutants and the X-Men, signaling a significant shift in the MCU's storyline.

Every Confirmed Mutant in the MCU (So Far)

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Looking at the MCU's upcoming slate, the next few films, including Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, could potentially feature these X-Men characters. However, it seems more likely that mutant appearances will be prominent in Phase 6, which includes Avengers: Doomsday, Spider-Man 4, and Avengers: Secret Wars. There's also speculation about the return of characters like Deadpool and Wolverine following their successful standalone movie, and even the possibility of Channing Tatum reprising his role as Gambit.

Feige has emphasized the importance of the X-Men in the MCU's future post-Secret Wars. He mentioned that while preparing for Avengers: Endgame, the focus was on reaching a narrative climax and then starting anew. This time, with Secret Wars on the horizon, the roadmap is clear, and the X-Men are central to this vision.

It appears that Phase 7 of the MCU will be heavily influenced by the X-Men. In the meantime, Storm made her debut in the wider MCU in What If...? Season 3.

In October, Marvel Studios added three untitled movie projects to its 2028 release schedule, slated for February 18, May 5, and November 10. It's increasingly likely that one of these films will be dedicated to the X-Men.