Sadie Sink, best known for her role as Max Mayfield in Stranger Things, has officially joined the cast of Spider-Man 4, starring alongside Tom Holland. While Marvel Studios has yet to reveal her character, fan speculation is running wild. Could she be playing an iconic Spider-Man love interest like Mary Jane Watson or Gwen Stacy? Or could this be Marvel’s way of introducing Jean Grey and the X-Men into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)?
With Spider-Man 4 set for release on July 31, 2026, the film will explore Peter Parker’s journey following the events of No Way Home. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), the movie is expected to take the franchise in an exciting new direction.
Who Will Sadie Sink Play? The Leading Theories
Mary Jane Watson (MJ)
MJ is one of the most well-known characters in Spider-Man history. Zendaya played MJ in the MCU, but following the memory wipe in No Way Home, Peter Parker now exists in a world where his friends don’t remember him.
If Sink is playing a new version of MJ, this could signal a soft reboot of Peter’s love life—introducing a different take on Mary Jane Watson and reigniting his romantic storyline.
Gwen Stacy
Another major love interest in Spider-Man lore, Gwen Stacy has been played by Emma Stone in The Amazing Spider-Man films.
If Spider-Man 4 introduces Gwen, it could set up a tragic storyline. In the comics, Gwen is famously killed by the Green Goblin, marking one of Peter Parker’s most painful losses.
Jean Grey (X-Men Crossover?)
With the MCU slowly introducing mutants, some fans believe Sadie Sink could be playing Jean Grey, a key figure in the X-Men universe.
- Marvel has been teasing mutants for years (Doctor Strange 2, Ms. Marvel, Deadpool 3).
- If Sink is playing Jean Grey, Spider-Man 4 could be the bridge between Spider-Man and the X-Men.
A New Character
Marvel Studios might be introducing a brand-new character to the Spider-Man franchise.
If that’s the case, Sink’s character could have an original arc that impacts Peter Parker’s journey in unexpected ways.
What We Know About Spider-Man 4
Here’s what’s confirmed about the movie so far:
- Release Date: Spider-Man 4 is scheduled to release on July 31, 2026.
- Director: Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings).
- Cast: Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker. It’s unclear if Zendaya and Jacob Batalon will reprise their roles.
- Storyline: Marvel has kept the plot a secret, but it will continue Peter Parker’s story after No Way Home.
What This Means for the MCU
- If Sink is playing Jean Grey, this could be Marvel’s biggest move yet toward introducing the X-Men into the MCU.
- If she’s playing Gwen Stacy or Mary Jane, it signals a shift in Peter Parker’s personal life after the events of No Way Home.
- Either way, Sadie Sink’s casting makes Spider-Man 4 one of the most anticipated MCU films.
Conclusion
Sadie Sink’s addition to Spider-Man 4 has ignited major fan speculation. Whether she plays Mary Jane, Gwen Stacy, Jean Grey, or a completely new character, her presence ensures that the film will be a game-changer for the MCU.
With the movie’s release still two years away, fans will have to wait for more details. But one thing is certain—Spider-Man’s story is far from over.
Timeline of All Spider-Man Movies
| Movie Title | Release Year | Spider-Man Actor | Universe | Notable Villain(s) |
|---|
| Spider-Man | 2002 | Tobey Maguire | Sam Raimi | Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe) |
| Spider-Man 2 | 2004 | Tobey Maguire | Sam Raimi | Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina) |
| Spider-Man 3 | 2007 | Tobey Maguire | Sam Raimi | Sandman, Venom, New Goblin |
| The Amazing Spider-Man | 2012 | Andrew Garfield | Sony Reboot | The Lizard (Rhys Ifans) |
| The Amazing Spider-Man 2 | 2014 | Andrew Garfield | Sony Reboot | Electro, Green Goblin, Rhino |
| Spider-Man: Homecoming | 2017 | Tom Holland | MCU | Vulture (Michael Keaton) |
| Spider-Man: Far From Home | 2019 | Tom Holland | MCU | Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) |
| Spider-Man: No Way Home | 2021 | Tom Holland | MCU Multiverse | Green Goblin, Doc Ock, Electro |
| Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse | 2023 | Shameik Moore (Miles Morales) | Sony Animation | The Spot, Multiple Spider-People |
| Spider-Man 4 (Upcoming) | 2026 | Tom Holland | MCU | TBD |
MJ vs. Gwen: A Comparison of Different Portrayals
| Character | Portrayed By | Movies | Personality & Role | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Jane Watson (MJ) | Kirsten Dunst | Spider-Man (2002-2007) | Classic love interest, aspiring actress, damsel in distress moments but strong-willed. | Alive |
| Mary Jane Watson (MJ) | Zendaya | Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017-2021) | Smart, sarcastic, modern reimagining of MJ. Loves Peter but forgets him in No Way Home. | Memory erased |
| Gwen Stacy | Bryce Dallas Howard | Spider-Man 3 (2007) | Minor role, Peter’s classmate, not a love interest. | Alive |
| Gwen Stacy | Emma Stone | The Amazing Spider-Man (2012-2014) | Brilliant, independent, supportive of Peter but tragically dies in TASM 2. | Dies |
