Stranger Things Star Frontrunner For X-Men's Jean Grey According To New MCU Report

A new report suggests that Stranger Things star Sadie Sink is in the running to portray Jean Grey in Marvel Studios’ upcoming X-Men reboot for the MCU. Marvel boss Kevin Feige first teased the development of an X-Men reboot in the MCU back in 2019, shortly after Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox, but it’s only recently that the highly-anticipated movie has seen some huge updates. This includes the hiring of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes writer Michael Lesslie to pen X-Men’s script, and now there could also be exciting casting news.

In a new report, insider Jeff Sneider reveals that he has learned Sadie Sink is in consideration for the role of Jean Grey in the MCU. Sneider elaborated on this tip on John Rocha’s The Hot Mic podcast. Sadie Sink has portrayed Maxine “Max” Mayfield in Netflix’s Stranger Things since 2017, and is also known for roles in Fear Street, The Whale and Dear Zoe. Marvel Studios hasn’t provided confirmation of Sadie Sink’s casting in the MCU.

Sadie Sink [is] in line to be Jean Grey. I think it makes sense with her being in Stranger Things, [and] Stranger Things wrapping up next year, her schedule is pretty free after that. Those kids are gonna be red hot, and Marvel, as we all know, chases heat, right? I think that she’s a talented actress and someone who Marvel probably is down to be committed to for the long term… There’s no director on X-Men yet… It wouldn’t shock me if some members of the X-Men were in [Avengers:] Secret Wars.

What The X-Men Jean Grey Casting Report Could Mean For The MCU

Jean Grey Being Cast So Soon Spells Good News For The MCU’s X-Men

As pointed out by Jeff Sneider, there is currently no director for the MCU’s X-Men reboot, which means it’s curious that the core members of the X-Men team could also be being cast. This possible early casting for Jean Grey suggests the iconic mutant hero will be appearing in the MCU prior to X-Men, which supports Kevin Feige’s previous comments hinting at X-Men characters popping up in upcoming MCU projects. Actors are currently being cast for Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, so Sadie Sink could debut as Jean Grey in Phase 6’s crossover movies.

Kevin Feige has shared some details about which characters could be expected to be part of the MCU’s X-Men, and the team could use major actors.

Sadie Sink’s casting is also interesting as she is younger than many would expect Jean Grey to be depicted in the MCU. This could hint at a younger iteration of the X-Men team being the first seen in the MCU. Perhaps Marvel Studios will even adapt the small original line-up of the X-Men team from Marvel Comics, which comprised Professor X, Cyclops, Iceman, Jean Grey, Beast and Angel. A younger X-Men team could be at the center of the MCU for many years, developing gradually as the MCU continues to grow.

Our Take On The X-Men Jean Grey Casting Report

Sadie Sink Would Be Fantastic As The MCU’s Jean Grey

Sadie Sink’s performances in the likes of Stranger Things and The Whale have been outstanding, so there’s no doubt that she would be an inspired casting choice for Jean Grey. Famke Janssen and Sophie Turner previously portrayed the Marvel hero in Fox’s X-Men franchise, but both had some serious flaws. Sadie Sink would bring a youthful and vibrant energy to Jean Grey, while also being able to grow into the seriousness and emotional intelligence of the character. Sadie Sink would be a huge asset to the MCU’s X-Men reboot and Marvel’s upcoming mutant stories as a whole.