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Sadie Sink Eyed To Play Jean Grey In The MCU

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is reportedly taking another star from Stranger Things, and this time it’s for one of the starring roles in their X-Men franchise.

Sadie Sink Eyed To Play Jean Grey In The MCU

As reported by TheInSneider, Sadie Sink is currently the frontrunner to play Jean Grey/Phoenix in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

Jean Grey is one of the most iconic and pivotal characters in X-Men lore, serving as both a founding member of the team and a central figure in some of the franchise’s most legendary storylines. As a mutant with telepathic and telekinetic powers, her abilities are unparalleled, and her transformation into the Phoenix and later the Dark Phoenix has shaped the X-Men’s history in profound ways. The Phoenix Saga and other Jean Grey stories are cornerstone narratives in the comics, exploring the pivotal themes associated with the X-Men such as power, corruption, love, and sacrifice. Her relationships with Cyclops, Wolverine, and Professor X further root her deeply within the X-Men’s emotional and team dynamics.

Sadie Sink Eyed To Play Jean Grey In The MCU
Marvel Snap / Image Courtesy of Second Dinner

Casting a rising star like Sadie Sink as Jean Grey would signify Marvel’s intention to position her as a major player in their cinematic X-Men universe. Sink’s talent for portraying emotionally complex and intense characters, much like in Stranger Things, makes her an ideal choice for Jean Grey, a character who balances immense inner strength with vulnerability. She could bring a fresh, youthful perspective to the role while honoring the depth and tragedy inherent in Jean’s story.

However, Marvel Studios may choose to approach Jean Grey’s storyline with caution, given her prominent role in the Fox X-Men films, particularly the poorly received Dark Phoenix.

Overexposure to the Phoenix Saga in past adaptations could lead Marvel to hold back on diving into her most famous arcs too soon. Instead, they might focus on establishing her as a core member of the team, slowly building toward her larger narrative arcs while giving other characters more spotlight initially.

The Whale / Image Courtesy of A24

By reintroducing Jean Grey with a star like Sadie Sink, Marvel has an opportunity to reimagine the character with nuance and depth, appealing to both comic fans and new audiences. With careful planning, they can balance honoring her legacy while ensuring the X-Men movies feel fresh and distinct from previous iterations.

Sadie Sink has quickly risen as a standout talent in Hollywood, with her breakout role as Max Mayfield in Stranger Things. Her emotional performance, particularly in Season 4, earned widespread acclaim for its depth and intensity. She also shone in The Whale alongside Brendan Fraser, delivering a raw, poignant portrayal of a troubled daughter. Sink starred as the lead in one of the movies in Netflix’s Fear Street trilogy, anchoring the horror series with her strong screen presence and ability to convey both vulnerability and resilience. 

Her growing filmography, ranging from scene-stealing supporting character in a huge Netflix show and an A24 drama starring Brendan Fraiser to leading a whole movie on her own highlights that she is more than ready to take on a big role like this. Sink’s range and charisma have made her a rising star to watch.

Sadie Sink has already demonstrated her ability to hold her own alongside some of Hollywood’s most highly regarded actors, showcasing her impressive range and maturity as a performer. In Stranger Things, she shares the screen with Winona Ryder, whose star presence didn’t overshadow Sink’s standout portrayal of Max. Sink further proved her acting talent in a raw, emotionally charged performance opposite Brendan Fraser, whose portrayal in The Whale earned him an Academy Award. These experiences show that Sink can thrive in high-pressure roles and more than match the intensity of veteran actors, making her well-prepared to face the towering personalities and high-stakes performances of the MCU.

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Lewis is based in the UK and writes about films and awards at Feature First.