The young actress discusses her long-awaited debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and future plans for the X-Men franchise
Category: Arts & Culture
Sadie Sink, the 24-year-old star of Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things, has finally lifted the veil on her much-anticipated role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which premiered on July 31, 2026. After keeping her character under wraps for over two years, Sink now plays Jean Grey, a telepathic mutant and a core member of the X-Men, in a film that has grossed more than $1.18 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing movie of the year.
Discussing her role in an interview with Vanity Fair, Sink expressed relief at finally being able to talk about the character she had kept secret for so long. "I’m stopping myself from saying stuff and then I realize, Oh wait, no, I can talk about it now, which is awesome," she said. In this iteration, Jean Grey is introduced as a mysterious entity capable of teleporting her consciousness into different bodies, attempting to break into a government building to find her missing sister.
In the film, Jean Grey is initially an adversary to Spider-Man (played by Tom Holland), but she is set to become a leader of the X-Men in future films. Marvel Studios is currently assembling a new cast for an upcoming X-Men movie, directed by Jake Schreier, which is slated for release in 2028.
Sink described her excitement about portraying a character with such a rich history. "All the women in X-Men are so strong and interesting—their relationship with their powers, how they’re capable of doing incredible things. It gives them so much strength, but then it also affects their lives in negative ways," she explained. This complexity is what drew her to the role, particularly the portrayal of Jean as a young girl struggling to understand her powers, which have only brought her pain.
Interestingly, Sink did not go through a traditional audition process. Instead, she learned about her casting through online rumors. "My team heard from Marvel and Sony for Spider-Man. And then I met with Kevin [Feige] and Louis [D’Esposito] from Marvel, and they told me about the character and about what my involvement would look like," she recounted. Sink did not receive a script until arriving in London for filming, which added to the secrecy surrounding her role.
"Keeping what Sadie’s doing under wraps, you’ll honestly understand when you see the movie. The movie is a more enjoyable experience if you don’t know certain things," director Destin Daniel Cretton stated, emphasizing the importance of secrecy in enhancing the audience's experience. This secrecy led to rampant speculation about her character, with fans guessing everything from a possible Mary Jane Watson variant to Jean Grey.
Jean Grey, originally portrayed by Famke Janssen and Sophie Turner in previous X-Men films, is a character steeped in comic book lore. Known for her telepathic and telekinetic abilities, her character has undergone numerous transformations over the years. In Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Jean is depicted not just as a powerful mutant but as a young woman grappling with the trauma of her powers and the loss of her sister, Sara, who was kidnapped and experimented on by the Department of Damage Control.
As the film progresses, Jean’s powers become uncontrollable, leading her to hold miles of New York City in her psychic thrall. This narrative arc sets the stage for her character’s evolution and connects her to the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film concludes with Jean leaving New York City, hinting at her future adventures as part of the X-Men team.
Marvel's strategic approach to integrating Jean Grey into the Spider-Man universe serves as a bridge to the upcoming X-Men film, which is anticipated to explore the dynamics of this iconic team in a new light. With the MCU continuously growing, the introduction of Jean Grey signals a fresh take on familiar characters, appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers.
As Marvel gears up for its next phase, the anticipation surrounding the new X-Men movie is building. Sink has already begun discussions with director Jake Schreier about her character's future and the ensemble cast that will accompany her. "It’s interesting to be at the very beginning of it," she said, noting the excitement of being part of a new era for the X-Men.
In addition to her role in the X-Men franchise, Sink is also involved in other projects. She is producing an adaptation of John Proctor Is the Villain, which is still in development, and she has plans for a series with FX and A24 called The Marriage Plot, expected to begin filming next year. With the end of Stranger Things, Sink is ahead to new opportunities and the chance to explore different characters.
The buzz around her portrayal of Jean Grey has already generated considerable interest, and fans are eager to see how her character will evolve in the upcoming films. As Marvel continues to expand its universe, Sink's role as Jean Grey will undoubtedly play a central part in shaping the future of the franchise. The new X-Men movie is set for a 2028 release, and fans are already speculating about the potential dynamics between Jean and other iconic characters like Cyclops, played by Kit Connor.
With her impressive track record and the backing of Marvel, Sadie Sink is positioned to become a key figure in the superhero genre. As she embarks on this new chapter, the world will follow closely closely to see how she brings Jean Grey to life on the big screen.