Capping off quite the week of casting rumors by scoper Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) dipped in intrigue, we have word that Stranger Things star Sadie Sink is the current favorite to play the iconic role of Jean Grey in the MCU’s upcoming iteration of the X-Men. While that wouldn’t come for some time — Marvel Studios is focused on wrapping up its cosmic saga with Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars before diving into its mutant saga — the fan speculation has been rabid about what it’ll mean for the X-Men fans know and love.
Sadie Sink is reportedly the frontrunner to play Jean Grey in the MCU
Stranger Things’ Max Mayfield herself has taken the internet by storm, and Sink’s youthful fervor is a necessary quality many fans feel Jean Grey could use more of. The character, who was played famously by Famke Janssen in the original X-Men trilogy and by Sophie Turner in the subsequent X-Men films, was with her fellow mutants at the heart of their lore. The one about Jean Grey going from a telekinetic powerhouse to the host of the all-consuming Phoenix Force is one of the most compelling arcs in Marvel history. Sink’s ability to balance vulnerability with strength makes her a compelling candidate for the role.
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Now the rumors of her potential casting have also raised eyebrows about the casting, particularly regarding the age of the new X-Men team. Some fans aren’t ready to hand the Avengers back to the world of the MCU, where years of long-term storytelling are meant to pay off, and they’re calling for a younger ensemble. In contrast, others point out that a slightly older cast would reinforce the gravity of these legendary heroes. Just 22, Sink strikes a happy medium: still young enough to evolve with the role, but wise enough to get at the different layers of Jean Grey’s characterization.
The studio has not confirmed any casting, but the speculation machine is churning as fans anticipate more news about the MCU’s mutant era. Official Jean Grey mantle or not, this speculation speaks to Sink’s star power and the high-wire act of integrating the X-Men into the MCU at least until all eyes are on another Marvel Studios titles that promises to bring together one of the most anticipated superhero teams in movie history.
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