Sadie Sink, renowned for her role as Max Mayfield in the hit series *Stranger Things*, is set to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in *Spider-Man 4*, alongside Tom Holland. According to Deadline, filming for the upcoming movie is scheduled to start later this year, with a release date set for July 31, 2026. Both Marvel and Sony have remained tight-lipped about the news when approached by Deadline.
Speculation is rife about the character Sink might portray, with Deadline suggesting she could be playing the iconic X-Men character Jean Grey or another beloved redheaded Spider-Man character, possibly Mary Jane Watson. However, integrating Mary Jane into the storyline poses challenges given Peter Parker's current relationship with Michelle "MJ" Jones-Watson, portrayed by Zendaya in previous Spider-Man films. It's believed that Sink's role will be significant, potentially signaling a fresh start following the events of *Spider-Man: No Way Home*, where Peter had to reintroduce himself to MJ after Doctor Strange erased his identity from everyone's memory.
Tom Holland, currently engaged in filming Christopher Nolan's *The Odyssey*, is expected to transition to *Spider-Man 4* once he completes that project, as per Deadline's report.
Last year, Marvel Studios' president Kevin Feige hinted at the integration of X-Men characters into upcoming MCU films. Speaking at the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, Feige mentioned that fans would soon see "some X-Men players that you might recognize" in the MCU's next few movies, though he didn't specify which characters or films. He further elaborated on the future inclusion of the X-Men, stating that the narrative leading to *Secret Wars* would usher in "a new age of mutants and of the X-Men."
Every Confirmed Mutant in the MCU (So Far)
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If we interpret "few" to mean three movies, the next in line could be *Captain America: Brave New World*, *Thunderbolts*, and *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* in July 2025. However, it's more probable that mutants will feature prominently in Phase 6 movies, including *Avengers: Doomsday* and *Spider-Man 4* in 2026, and *Avengers: Secret Wars* in 2027. The return of Deadpool and Wolverine, following their successful standalone film, remains a key question, as does the potential reprise of Channing Tatum's role as Gambit.
Feige has emphasized that the X-Men will play a crucial role in the MCU's future beyond *Secret Wars*. Reflecting on the build-up to *Avengers: Endgame*, Feige noted the importance of planning post-*Secret Wars* narratives, with the X-Men being a central component of that future. It appears that Phase 7 of the MCU will be heavily influenced by the X-Men, with Storm already making her debut in *What If...?* Season 3.
In October, Marvel Studios added three untitled movie projects to its 2028 release schedule, slated for February 18, 2028; May 5, 2028; and November 10, 2028. The anticipation is growing that one of these films will be dedicated to the X-Men.
