Sadie Sink, known for her role as Max Mayfield in *Stranger Things*, is set to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in *Spider-Man 4* alongside Tom Holland. According to Deadline, Sink, who first appeared on the big screen in the 2016 film *Chuck*, will star in the upcoming movie, which is slated to begin filming later this year and has a scheduled release date of July 31, 2026. Both Marvel and Sony have remained tight-lipped about the news when approached by Deadline.

Speculation abounds regarding Sink's role, with suggestions she 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 be challenging given Peter Parker's existing relationship with Michelle "MJ" Jones-Watson, played by Zendaya in previous films. *Spider-Man 4* is rumored to be a significant 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, 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 introduction of X-Men characters in upcoming MCU films. Speaking at the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, Feige promised fans would see "some X-Men players that you might recognize" in the near future, though he did not specify which characters or films. He also teased that the narrative arc leading to *Secret Wars* would usher in a new era of mutants and the X-Men within the MCU.

Every Confirmed Mutant in the MCU (So Far)

The immediate MCU films potentially featuring mutants include *Captain America: Brave New World*, *Thunderbolts*, and *The Fantastic Four: First Steps*, set for July 2025. However, it's more likely that mutants will make more significant appearances in Phase 6 films such as *Avengers: Doomsday*, *Spider-Man 4*, and *Avengers: Secret Wars* in 2027. There's also curiosity about whether Deadpool and Wolverine will return to the MCU following their successful standalone film, and if 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 grand finale, but now, with *Secret Wars* on the horizon, the narrative is already well-planned for both before and after the event. Feige confirmed that the X-Men will be integral to this future storyline.

It appears that Phase 7 of the MCU will heavily feature the X-Men. In the short term, Storm made her first appearance in the wider MCU in *What If...?* Season 3. Additionally, Marvel Studios has added three untitled projects to its 2028 release schedule, with speculation growing that one of these could be an X-Men film.