With the news thatSadie Sinkhas been cast inSpider-Man 4, speculation is rampant about what character theStranger Thingsactress will play. Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is a sociable guy, and Spider-Man’s stories are overflowing with a very famous and beloved ensemble of female characters. Thus, there’s a wide variety of roles Sink would be perfect for in the wall crawler’s next MCU adventure.
With so little information about the upcoming sequel available, it makes it even harder to nail down Sink’s involvement, but a few characters make the most sense, considering Holland’s Spidey’s age and story so far. Will Sink help Spider-Man do whatever a spider can, or will she be a villain in his next solo outing?This list will run down all the possibilities for Sink’s role, ranked by how likely she is to suit up for the part.
Spider-Man 4
10Screwball
An Underrated Character Who Deserves Far More Attention
While Spider-Man has fought alien parasites, mad scientists, and the occasional pile of sand, his big-screen adventures have never seen him go up against the worst possible evil: an influencer. An internet-obsessed “super” villain who commits her crimes on the internet,Screwball would be a dark horse candidate for an MCU appearance. Most known for her role in thePlayStation Spider-Man games, Screwball flexes her powers of using the internet well to distract Spider-Man from fighting real crime.
There’s probably no agent in Hollywood that would recommend Screwball as the next career move, but anything’s possible. If Spider-Man movies go on long enough, there’s a world where Screwball gets a five-minute cameo as a villain the wall-crawler defeats with ease, but that day is likely not soon. Plus, ifSony’s track record informs the future, Screwball will be the next villain the studio tries to base a trilogy around.
9Silver Sable
A Mercenary Who Loves Tough Love
The mercenary Silver Sable has yet to make her debut in the MCU, and four might be her lucky number. An expert in hand-to-hand combat and skilled with any number of weapons,Silver Sable could be a dynamic presencewhether she’s working for or against Spider-Man’s best interests. Although maybe not the first character people would think about regarding the web-head, Silver Sable has shown up in many Spider-Man video games and cartoons, like the short-lived but wonderfulSpectacular Spider-Man.
Silver Sable and Spider-Man have a long history together, with the hero’s quippy attitude serving as a foil for the mercenary’s all-business approach. Now that the wall-crawler is becoming an adult, there is thematic value in introducing Spider-Man to heroes who operate in morally ambiguous ways to challenge his limited experience. However, Sink’s going to be too young for the part of a battle-hardened soldier-of-fortune, so odds are not in favor this will be her mystery role.
8Black Cat
The Ultimate Femme Fatale
A love interest, a foe, and an ally all wrapped up in one, Felicia Hardy, AKA the Black Cat, would bea welcome addition to the next Spider-Man film. The Black Cat may not have superpowers, but her ability to lie, manipulate, and steal has been the Achilles Heel for the wall-crawler on more than one occasion. Spider-Man and Black Cat are typically on opposite sides of the law, but his romantic involvement with Felicia clouds his spider-senses, giving her the upper claw.
With MJ’s (Zendaya) memory wiped after the events ofSpider-Man: No Way Home, now is the perfect time to throw Peter into the type of toxic romance specifically reserved for someone in their early 20s. Sink has shown herself to be a talented actress, but the Black Cat would be an ill-fitting use of her abilities. That said, Black Cat needs to get in the MCU yesterday because it’s criminal that Felicia’s thieving alter ego hasn’t been given the screen time she deserves.
7Mayday Parker
An Unlikely But Inspired Choice
Mayday Parker, or Spider-Girl, is the grown daughter of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson. With powers similar to her web-swinging father,Mayday fights crime under the name of Spider-Girl, using the same acrobatic approach as Spider-Man. While casual MCU fans may be less familiar with the hero, Spider-Girl has had a lengthy and successful history within the pages of Marvel comic books.
In the world of comic book movies, nothing is off the table, so there’s always the possibility that a portal opens up in Peter’s apartment, and his daughter from the future pops out to say hi. The MCU could also make Mayday the daughter ofTobey Maguire’s Peter, thus allowing him to also return.Sink would be a lot of fun in this part, but with so many other plotlines available to adapt for the big screen, it’s unlikely audiences will see Mayday involved in the fourth Spider-Man film. For the moment, Spider-Girl fans will have to settle for her infant cameo inSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
6Spider-Gwen
It’s About Time She Enters the MCU
An alternate-universe version of Gwen Stacy, Peter’s first long-term girlfriend, is bitten by a genetically engineered spider and is granted those spider powers everyone knows and loves. In an attempt to also gain superpowers, Peter turns himself into a large lizard creature, causing a fight between the two that would lead to his death. The event is traumatizing for Gwen, who then understands that with great power comes not killing your friends when they’re lizards.
This version of Spider-Woman, often referred to asSpider-Gwen, has becomeone of the most popular characters created in the modern age. Sink’s performance inStranger Thingsshows how well she would do in the part of this alternate world Gwen, but it’s highly unlikely the MCU pulls the trigger on this character in live-action form at this time. However,Spider-Man: No Way Homewas in no short supply of fan service, so her appearance can’t be ruled out.
5Jessica Drew
The First Spider-Woman
Jessica Drew, the first Spider-Woman, has yet to swing in for her MCU debut, and as the franchise digs deeper into its roster in hopes of new marquee stars,Spider-Woman’s day will probably come soon. While originally created toprotect the trademarkfrom rival publications, Spider-Woman has gone on to play a large role in the comics, even being a member of the Avengers.
Audiences have seen a brief glimpse of Spider-Woman in the form ofSydney Sweeneyas Julia Carpenter in thewidely pannedMadame Web, but that was incredibly brief and will probably be retconned out of existence. There’s probably hesitation on Disney’s part to develop more characters held by Sony, but if it’s beneficial to both parties, a deal could be made.A redesign of Spider-Woman could see Sink put on the red spandex, but there are better fits for her within the MCU.
4Mary Jane Watson
Face It, Tiger, Sadie Sink Would Be The Perfect Mary Jane
The most famous redhead in Peter Parker’s life is Mary Jane Watson. The model-turned-actress was someone Peter could rely on in the wake of Gwen’s death, and the two would eventually become long-term partners and get married in the comics. Being the drawn soap operas that they are, the comics ensured the two’s marriage wouldn’t last, but the majority of fans consider Peter and Mary Jane a quintessential couple in the superhero community.
Even though Mary Jane Watson hasn’t knocked on Peter’s door in the MCU,Zendaya’s role as Michelle Jones-Watson, or MJ, has basically filled the positionof the character. Replacing a love interest named MJ with another love interest named MJ would be like giving Peter a new best friend named Petey. The ship has most likely sailed for a comic-book-accurate MJ, but Sink would have been a logical choice.
3Gwen Stacy
The Most Tragic Character in Spider-Man Lore
With a clean break from the MCU’s version of MJ, Peter could have a chance to meet one of the other great loves of his life, Gwen Stacy. In the comics,Gwen is Peter’s first major love interest, who meets a tragic fatewhen Spider-Man fails to save her from the Green Goblin. In the history of Spider-Man, and comics books as an industry, her death was a defining reason why the wall-crawler’s stories were shattering readers' expectations.
Gwen Stacy was previously played by the red-headedBryce Dallas HowardinSpider-Man 3and the often red-headedEmma StoneinThe Amazing Spider-Manseries, so maybe Disney breaks out the hair dye for Sink as well. Moreover, Sink is an actress on the rise, soit stands to reason her part is going to be sizeable, and Gwen has yet to be introduced. While Gwen would make a great addition to the people in Peter’s life, having Sink limited to a love interest role might not be the best use when more heroic roles have yet to be cast. The MCU could also give Gwen a more active role rather than a damsel in distress, which would make more sense.
One of Spider-Man’s Amazing Friends
In the early 1980s, the cartoonSpider-Man and His Amazing Friendsfollowed the web-slinger as he fought crime with his buddies Iceman, who apparently abandoned hisX-Menteam, and the new character Firestar. Firestar’s spot wasoriginally intended for the Human Torch, but rights issues forced the writers to pivot and replace the young Johnny Storm with a similar new creation. The happy accident led toFirestar becoming a popular character that would remain a regular in Marvel Comics.
Sink would be perfect for the part of Firestar, and, with an updated suit, would be a nice addition to the MCU that Disney doesn’t have to clear with Sony. Sink will be best used as someone who gets her hands dirty in super-powered fights, and Firestar isa fresh character for casual fanswho might be tired of seeing new versions of old people. Introducing a mutant that isn’t with the X-Men would be a warm way to introduce the concept without diving headfirst into Charles Xavier’s teens.
1Jean Grey
The Omega-Level Mutant and Host of the Phoenix Force
If rumors are true (and when are they not),Sink was on the shortlistto be the X-Men’s psychic team member Jean Grey. The MCU’s approach to the merry mutants is still unknown, but Sink’s casting as Jean Grey would bea good indicator of how young they plan for the X-Men cast to beand how close they’re sticking to the comic books as a guide for character details. If, for some reason, Disney feels compelled to recreate the Dark Phoenix saga, which is a story that needs a long rest, someone of Sink’s talents could do the character justice.
Every MCU Spider-Man movie up to this point has had a team-up at its core, and Disney might use the fourth movie asa chance to introduce the X-Menvia one of their most popular characters. The X-Men comes with a truckload of lore that can be overwhelming to casuals, so dropping breadcrumbs in a movie that is guaranteed to be watched will drum up excitement for movie-goers who feel the mutants are played out.
