Sadie Sink, known for her role as Max Mayfield in Stranger Things, is reportedly set to star alongside Tom Holland in Spider-Man 4. According to Deadline, Sink, who made her film debut in the 2016 biographical sports drama Chuck, will appear in the upcoming MCU movie, which is slated to begin filming later this year and has a release date set for July 31, 2026. Both Marvel and Sony declined to comment when contacted by Deadline.

Speculation suggests that Sink might portray either the X-Men character Jean Grey or another iconic redheaded character from the Spider-Man universe, such as Mary Jane Watson. However, integrating Mary Jane into the storyline could pose challenges given Peter Parker's existing relationship with Michelle "MJ" Jones-Watson, portrayed by Zendaya in previous films. Deadline indicates that Sink's role in Spider-Man 4 will be significant, potentially signaling a narrative 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 is currently engaged in filming The Odyssey directed by Christopher Nolan, and plans to transition to Spider-Man 4 once production concludes, according to Deadline.

Late last year, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige hinted at the introduction of X-Men characters in the upcoming MCU films. At the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, Feige teased that fans would see "some X-Men players that you might recognize" in the next few MCU movies, although he did not specify which characters or films.

Feige 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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If we assume "few" to mean three, the next MCU movies likely to feature X-Men characters could be Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps set for release in July 2025. However, it's more probable that mutants will make more appearances in Phase 6 films, including Avengers: Doomsday and Spider-Man 4 in 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. A key question remains whether Deadpool and Wolverine will return to the MCU following the success of their summer movie, and whether Channing Tatum might reprise his role as Gambit.

Feige has emphasized that the X-Men will play a significant role in the MCU's future post-Secret Wars. Reflecting on the narrative strategy, Feige said, “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.”

It appears that Phase 7 of the MCU will be heavily focused on the X-Men. In the short term, Storm made her debut in the MCU in What If...? Season 3.

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