Sadie Sink Teases Jean Grey’s Future in Marvel’s X-MEN Reboot

Jean Grey is officially back in the Marvel universe, and Sadie Sink is already thinking about where the powerful young mutant goes from here.

After making her MCU debut as Jean in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the Stranger Things star is set to return for Marvel Studios’ upcoming X-Men reboot.

While Sink still doesn’t have every answer about Jean’s future, she has met with director Jake Schreier, participated in screen tests with other actors, and started digging deeper into the complicated character she’ll be playing for years to come.

There are also rumors that Jean could appear in Avengers: Secret Wars, but her next confirmed major MCU chapter is X-Men, which is currently expected to arrive in theaters in 2028.

For longtime Marvel fans, Jean’s introduction opens up some huge possibilities. She has one of the richest and most dangerous character arcs in X-Men history, including her transformation into Dark Phoenix.

Hollywood has already taken two swings at adapting “The Dark Phoenix Saga,” neither of which really landed, so Marvel Studios has an opportunity to approach Jean’s story from a completely different angle.

Exactly where Jean is going immediately after Spider-Man: Brand New Day, however, remains a mystery even to Sink.

During an interview with Variety, the actress was asked whether Jean might be heading to Westchester, home of Charles Xavier’s X-Mansion, when she leaves New York on a bus.

"Oh, I don’t really know yet, to be honest," Sink replied. "And when I say 'I don’t know,' I mean I really don’t know. [Laughs]"

She may not know Jean’s destination yet, but Sink has already started conversations with Schreier about the character and what awaits her in X-Men.

"It’s been really exciting all the conversations we’ve had, and I feel really lucky that I have this introduction through 'Spider-Man' and [her] backstory. I think that’s what X-Men is all about, too."

Sink has also been doing her homework, and what appears to interest her most isn’t simply Jean’s enormous power. It’s the fact that mutants often have messy relationships with their abilities, their choices, and the people around them.

"The more I’ve gotten into it and researched, what makes them special is that they are all incredibly flawed and maybe have done bad things.

“That makes them more compelling, complex characters and a more complex hero if they don’t start out that way. And they have to find their relationship to their powers. Because it’s not like they’ve asked for this or that these strengths make their lives easier; they make them a lot harder, actually."

That certainly fits Jean Grey. Her powers have always been both an incredible gift and a potentially terrifying burden, which gives Marvel plenty to explore before even considering something as massive as Dark Phoenix.

"So, knowing Jean’s struggle will be important in the future of her character and where she goes, just makes her really well-rounded, which I’m excited for," Sink added.

While she claimed she hasn’t properly met her future co-stars yet, she described the eventual group as a "really awesome ensemble." Interestingly, another interview suggests she has at least worked opposite some potential X-Men cast members already.

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Sink confirmed she has taken part in screen tests for the film. She avoided giving anything away when asked about reports involving Kit Connor and Samara Weaving, but she did explain why testing actors together matters.

"There are certain characters that it’s important to establish, like, do you have chemistry with this person? That’s always gonna be a part of the process."

That comment is particularly interesting when you consider Jean Grey’s relationships within the X-Men, especially her romance with Scott Summers, aka Cyclops. If Connor really is being considered for Cyclops, it wouldn’t be surprising if he were among the actors Sink has tested with.

Of course, Jean’s romantic life is only one piece of the puzzle. Sink seems especially interested in figuring out who Jean becomes after the difficult circumstances audiences find her in during Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

"It’s just exciting to step back into the character a bit and think about, we met her in the Spider-Man movie at a really challenging point of her life, so what does she look like going forward?" she said.

"With what she’s learned, how has she changed and who is she at her core when she’s not looking for V-Max and strapped to a chair and all of that? So, yeah, I have been involved, of course, in figuring that out."

That gives Marvel a potentially interesting starting point for Jean. Rather than introducing her as an established superhero who already understands her powers, audiences can watch her figure out who she is, what she can do, and where she fits among other young mutants dealing with similar problems.

Sink also appears pretty happy with Marvel’s decision to build its new X-Men around a younger generation of characters.

"I think it was such a smart choice, too, to start young and have this younger generation of mutants. It’s a cool take on it, but as it starts to assemble and everything, I’m really excited about having a group of people to feel like you’re on a team with."

That younger approach could give Marvel room to let these characters grow together instead of immediately presenting a fully formed superhero squad. Jean, Cyclops, and the rest of the team can screw up, learn how to control their abilities, clash with each other, and eventually become the X-Men fans recognize.

It could be particularly important for Jean. Previous live-action movies raced toward Dark Phoenix, but there’s no reason Marvel needs to make that transformation the immediate destination. Giving audiences time to actually know Jean before unleashing the Phoenix would make whatever happens to her later far more meaningful.

Sink certainly has a major stretch of Marvel projects ahead of her. Rumors have suggested she could become one of the central characters in the new X-Men franchise, and her involvement in casting screen tests indicates that Marvel is already paying close attention to how this new mutant team fits together.

Her relationship with Cyclops will likely be a major component of that equation, and if Connor ends up with the role, the chemistry between the two characters will be especially important.

With D23 approaching, Marvel may finally be getting ready to reveal more of Schreier’s mutant lineup. Sink is locked in as Jean Grey, but there are still plenty of major roles waiting to be officially filled.

Marvel Studios’ X-Men reboot is currently expected to hit theaters in 2028.