Film News: Spider-Man 4 to Sink or swim
Recent details surrounding the next MCU installment in the Spider-Man franchise have been released and it has confirmed the entrance of Stranger Things’ young star, Sadie Sink.
Talks have been circulating in Marvel universe circles and fandom as to who Sink will be playing and the extent of the effect her inclusion will have in the film and furthermore, the MCU.
Film News Blitz’s Aidan Leo ponders the possible characters Sink could portray and what her role may signify in the Spider-Man franchise and in MCU phase six.
What will Sink’s role be in the feature?
Sink is set to star opposite Tom Holland and his Spider-Man and is hypothesized to be a possible love interest for the struggling mentally and emotionally drained Spidey after the events of Spider-Man No Way Home.
Who are the possible Marvel characters Sink may portray?
Marvel insider Daniel Richtman per Cosmic Book News, is quoted saying that Sink’s role will be that of a “sharp and free-spirited woman who is strong-willed, intelligent, and not easily intimidated.”
“It’s also said her character will also have a mysterious past.”
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Naturally, this would not necessarily narrow the list of potentials down to any specific love-interest or possible anti-hero, or both.
Though, it does offer us an idea as to her character’s overall disposition and psyche.
But let's have a look at the possible candidates.
Felicia Hardy (Black Cat)
Similar to that of DC’s Catwoman, Black Cat is a cat-burglar and anti-hero who is sly, cunning, and a seductress of sorts.
She appeals to the dark side of Spider-Man caused by the downside of constant heroism, and in the case of Holland’s Spidey, his mental state after the loss of his aunt and the memories his friends had of him being wiped out.
If Black Cat was to enter the MCU, this may be an unique opportunity to introduce Black Suit Spider-Man, especially after that infamous post-credit scene of Tom Hardy’s Venom in the previous film.
However, I view Sink’s role on the side of heroic and selfless, not self-indulgent and villainous.
Though popular fan castings have seen the rise in traction for Sydney Sweeney (Anyone but You) to take up the role of Marvel’s resident cat burglar.
I quite like the prospect of that casting.
We may just see Black Cat after all, regardless of who Sink is portraying.
Gwen Stacy
One of the Spider-Man franchise’s most notable characters, Gwen Stacy is a secondary love interest to Peter Parker, for the most part.
Relating to live-action, we have seen Gwen appear in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3 which saw Jurassic World Dominion star Bryce Dallas Howard in the role.
She acted as somewhat of an antithesis in personality to Kirsten Dunst’s Mary-Jane Watson.
However, in quite a few comic book volumes and as seen in Andrew Garfield’s Amazing Spider-Man films, Gwen has played a pivotal role in Peter’s life and has featured as his prominent love interest in a reality that does not possess a Mary-Jane.
Although the doors have been blown open to multiversal dynamics in the MCU, with the Spideys of yester-year appearing in Spider-Man No Way Home, I do not see a resurgence of the Peter-Gwen dynamic as that would be too obvious a direction for the MCU to go in.
As recent details would suggest, Marvel plans to cause an unexpected turn-of-events for the viewer to be subjected to relating to Spidey in the upcoming feature.
Mary-Jane Watson
A casting as Mary-Jane Watson for Sink would certainly tie in to the multiversal variant element if you will.
Therefore, she may make an appearance from another Earth, or exist on the same Earth to Zendaya’s MJ as hers is Michelle Jones, as opposed to Mary-Jane.
Zendaya is not yet confirmed for the film, as Peter’s friends’ memories along with the public’s of him are currently non-existent in the story.
Likely Spidey will be going through a tired, struggling, and turbulent emotional and mental state.
This may result in a Mary-Jane appearance to tend to his wounds so to speak.
The character is iconic, but similar to Gwen Stacy, I feel this would be too transparent of an avenue for Marvel, but it is possible.
Teresa Parker
The casting would be one out of left-field but considering the MCU’s current unpredictable state, we may be in for a pleasant surprise like this one.
Teresa Parker, in the comics, is Peter Parker’s long lost sister, whose existence was kept hidden, and was adopted.
Her role in the following installment would be as a shoulder to cry on of sorts for Peter, and will offer a new lease on life away from crime fighting in the city.
Not a particularly probable route for Marvel, but we have not yet seen this character cast in live-action as of yet so it can be considered viable.
Jean Grey
The casting of Sink as Jean Grey would be a step into reverberant grounds for Marvel, and happens to be the most popular fan casting or just general prediction from fans from what I have seen thus far.
IGN reported that in 2024, Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige stated at the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore,
“I think you will see in our next few movies some X-Men players that you might recognize.”
“Right after that, the whole story of Secret Wars really leads us into a new age of mutants and of the X-Men. Again, [it’s] one of those dreams come true. We finally have the X-Men back.”
“When we were preparing for Avengers: Endgame years ago, it was a question of getting to the grand finale of our narrative, and then we had to start all over again after that.”
“This time, on the road to Secret Wars, we already know very well what the story is going to be until then and afterwards. The X-Men are an important part of that future.”
The statements from Feige add further credence to the casting, and alludes to an imminent arrival of Jean Grey and the X-Men.
This may be that very indication.
However, how that ties into the love interest narrative, I have no clue.
My thoughts on Sink’s casting
What is to be mentioned first and foremost is Sink’s notable ability, talent and rising stardom.
I feel she is well-deserving of her casting and I hope she does tremendously well.
As far as her character is concerned, I generally don’t straddle the fence regarding news of castings and things of that nature.
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But in this case, I have not the slightest clue as to the character she is portraying.
It may be one of the aforementioned options, to which I chose only a select few to comment on.
I have seen many more suggestions and theories of possible castings across social media over the last few weeks.
However, maybe this is what Marvel wants.
The constant talk and speculation around her character will only accentuate the ‘wow’ factor that Marvel Studios seem to be waiting to let loose upon the public.
If that is the case, then all power to them.
But if her casting floats in the realm of underwhelming and not mind-blowing, then the state of MCU stage six will evidently be just as uncertain and convoluted as the news surrounding Sink’s casting.
