Spider-Man 4 is gearing up for production soon for a 2026 release. And reports have surfaced that Stranger Things star Sadie Sink is joining the cast in an unspecified role. However, following months of rumors, the prevailing theory is that Sadie Sink will be the MCU’s version of a founding member of the X-Men, Jean Grey. Yes, Sadie Sink does look a lot like Spidey’s main love interest Mary Jane Watson. However, the “MJ” of the MCU is clearly Zendaya. So this just lends more fuel to the fire that Sadie Sink will be the X-Men’s premiere telepath. But why is Jean Grey, of all the Marvel Comics mutants, in a Spidey movie? We have some theories. We also have some ideas for another Marvel mutant that Sadie Sink could play aside from Jean Grey, with deeper ties to Spider-Man lore, Firestar. But first, let’s start with Jean.
Could Sadie Sink Play Jean Grey in Spider-Man 4? Peter Parker’s Comic Book Connections to Jean Grey of the X-Men
Although Sadie Sink is great rumored to play Jean Grey, Jean Grey and Spider-Man don’t have much overlap when it comes to comic book stories. True, the X-Men and Spider-Man have shared a few adventures together over the years. Spider-Man did also steal a kiss from Jean Grey once during their early hero years, in front of a horrified Professor X. And decades later, Jean kissed him on the cheek after he helped the X-Men out on a mission. But it’s not as if Jean Grey specifically had much to say to Peter Parker in those stories. In Marvel Comics, writers famously cloned both heroes, replacing them with genetic duplicates for a time. So they do have that common bond. However, none of that would apply to the MCU.
But Jean Grey’s Telepathic Powers Could Make Her Immune to Doctor Strange’s No Way Home Spell in the MCU, Paving the Way for Sadie Sink
The end of Spider-Man: No Way Home could point to how Jean Grey could be useful in Spider-Man 4‘s story. At the end of that movie, Doctor Strange casts a massive spell on the world, erasing everyone’s memories that Peter Parker and Spider-Man are the same person. But a mind-altering spell like that? It might not work on someone who is as strong telepath on the level of Jean Grey. Remember, Jean’s telepathy is so strong she bonds with the Phoenix Force. That would give Peter Parker someone his age who knows who he really is and can share his burden. And it could be a good argument for Sadie Sink to play Jean Grey in the MCU movie.
Although Peter Parker and Jean Grey don’t have a history as such in the 616 Marvel continuity, the MCU could transpose one romance Peter had with another member of the X-Men to a different mutant. In the Ultimate Universe, X-Men member Kitty Pryde transferred to Peter’s high school from Xavier’s School for an extended period. The two had a brief romance even though they ultimately decided to just be friends. (MJ is seemingly Peter’s one true love in every reality). For the MCU iteration, Marvel might switch out Kitty Pryde for Jean Grey. It would also be refreshing to see a version of Jean Grey with someone other than Cyclops or Wolverine.
Firestar Is Another Famous Mutant Redhead in Spider-Man’s Life, and One of His “Amazing Friends”
There is another Marvel mutant that could easily fit into Spidey’s world from the comics, and Sadie Sink could very capably play. That’s Angelica Jones, a.k.a. Firestar. Actually, their connection began first in animation, in the 1981-1983 cartoon Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends. In that Saturday morning show, Peter Parker fought crime with his two college buddies and roommates, Iceman and Firestar. Both were mutants and former X-Men, although Firestar was created specifically for the series, as Marvel didn’t have the TV rights to the flame-powered Human Torch at the time. She soon joined the comic book continuity, and has been both an X-Man and an Avenger. But her existence began as one of Peter Parker’s best friends at Empire State University.
If Spider-Man 4 goes this route, we could see a live-action version of Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends, which could expand on the concept of mutants in the Sacred Timeline of the MCU. Also, with Ned Leeds and MJ not remembering who Peter Parker is, then he’ll need a whole new supporting cast. Why not the X-Men’s Bobby Drake and Angelica Jones? They could then roll over into the upcoming Marvel Studios version of the X-Men we know they’ve got coming. Iceman is a major X-Men character, and this could also be a fun way of introducing him to the MCU. While we tend to think Sadie Sink is being set up for a bigger MCU role in the form of Jean Grey, the X-Men’s Firestar is our runner-up choice.
We’d Love for Spider-Man to Meet the X-Men, Regardless of Who Sadie Sink Plays in the Movie
Introducing X-Men concepts in a Spider-Man movie might also lead to some cool things for Peter Parker in the future of the MCU. Despite not being a mutant (technically, Spider-Man is what we call a mutate), he ended up teaching at Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters at one point. This was chronicled in the series Spider-Man and the X-Men. Eventually, the MCU will have to age up Tom Holland’s Peter. A cool adult career path for future films would be to have him become a teacher to young high school students. If those students had powers like him, that would be even more fun to watch. Maybe his entire connection to Marvel’s mutants starts with Jean Grey or Firestar, someone he’s known possibly since college. We’ll likely find out soon, as Destin Daniel Cretton’s untitled Spider-Man film is set to hit theaters on July 31, 2026.