Warning: This article contains major spoilers for Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Proceed with caution.
After more than four years of waiting, Tom Holland’s Peter Parker has returned to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Following the multiversal adventure that was Spider-Man: No Way Home, Spidey has come back down to Earth for Spider-Man: Brand New Day. But it’s still a big movie with some big secrets, including a major mutant-sized reveal in the third act.
Even though Holland flat out denied the rumor on the press tour, it turns out that Sadie Sink (Stranger Things) is indeed playing Jean Grey in the MCU. She’s one of the most powerful mutants in the X-Men and was the movie’s “villain” so to speak. Undoubtedly, Sink is going to have a bigger role to play in the future of the franchise as well.
In a recent interview with Variety, Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige discussed the reveal of Sink’s character. Though it was heavily rumored online ahead of the movie’s release, Marvel and Sony tried to keep it a secret. As for why? Feige had this to say about it.
“It’s purely about creating the best possible opening weekend experience for the audience. Sadie’s character is one that our fans know has immense significance within the Marvel Universe, and she plays a key role in the future of the MCU. I’m just happy that the secret is finally out and that Sadie can stop dodging the question.”
The gambit worked. Brand New Day broke the opening weekend record at the box office held by Avengers: Endgame. It’s already the biggest movie of 2026 with more than $1.2 billion to its name and counting. This is going to do wonders for the next phase of the MCU, which will be focused heavily on the X-Men.
While Feige wouldn’t give too much away, he did touch on how the reveal of Sink’s Jean Grey will lead into future projects. He also confirmed that yes, more Spider-Man movies are being planned.
“For people who’ve seen Brand New Day, they know the storyline leads us into more Spider-Man films and into the future of the MCU,” Feige said. “And, I think we’re still in spoiler territory because the movie only just came out, but it leads into another very well-known Marvel franchise created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.”
Here’s the synopsis for Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
“It’s a brand new day for Peter Parker. Fighting crime full-time as Spider-Man in a world that doesn’t remember him—and the pressure of seeing his old friends move on without him—sparks a change in Peter he may not have the power to control. But that transformation might also be the only thing that can stop a shocking new threat to the city and those he loves – a powerful villain no one can even see.
The world may have forgotten Peter Parker, but he hasn’t forgotten them.”
Meanwhile, the X-Men reboot is moving full steam ahead. No release date has been set but it’s expected to arrive in 2028. Further casting is underway, with Jake Schreier (Thunderbolts) set to direct. Samara Weaving (Ready or Not) is set to star as Emma Frost, with Kit Connor (Heartstopper) on board as Cyclops.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is in theaters now.
What do you think? Are you a fan of Sadie Sink as Jean Grey? Are you looking forward to the X-Men reboot? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Instagram!
