Sadie Sink’sSpider-Man 4role might not be an A-list character like Jean Grey, Black Cat, or Gwen Stacy, but probably a lesser-knownMarvelmutant with a special connection to Spider-Man and the X-Men.Sadie Sink’s reported MCU casting inSpider-Man4has set off fan speculation about her character’s identity. Following the events ofSpider-Man: No Way Home, Tom Holland’s Peter Parker will likely meet new friends, acquaintances, and enemies, some of whom could be famous characters from the comics.
Fan theories around Sadie Sink’s MCU character include Gwen Stacy, who could be Peter Parker’s next love interest, replacing Zendaya’s MJ. An alternative to Gwen Stacy could be Felicia Hardy a.k.a. Black Cat, who could be a New York vigilante or criminal on top of Spider-Man’s romantic interest. A wilder theory suggests thatSadie Sink is playing a multiversal variant of Mayday Parkeror Mary Jane Watson. Otherwise, Sadie Sink’s MCU character could be a different top-tier MCU character like Jean Grey, who could be the first member of the MCU’s X-Men to debut ahead of Marvel Studios' newX-Menprojects. However, there’s another option.
I’m Convinced Sadie Sink Is Playing Firestar In Spider-Man 4
Firestar Was Specifically Created To Be Spider-Man’s Mutant Friend In The 1980s
In 1981, NBC and Marvel responded to Hanna-Barbera and DC’s popularSuper Friendswith the seriesSpider-Man and His Amazing Friends. Spider-Man’s 1980s animated show originally partnered Spider-Man with the Human Torch, but Johnny Storm’s adaptation rights weren’t available at the time, as Universal had acquired them for a potential Human Torch movie or show that never got made. To replace him,the red-headed Firestar was created from scratch to be Spider-Man’s best friend inSpider-Man and His Amazing Friends, alongside her fellow mutant Iceman.
The Human Torch also didn’t appear in 1978’sThe New Fantastic Four. Besides Johnny Storm’s adaptation rights, his fully ablaze appearance also seemed problematic for a young audience at the time.
Sadie Sink would be a perfect casting choice for a young Angelica Jones a.k.a. Firestar, not only due to her physical appearance and age, but also because her popular performance as Max Mayfield inStranger Thingsshares some qualities with Firestar. Sink’s Max and Firestar struggle with the side effects of their abilities, and they brave through their superhuman / supernatural experiences at a young age to become selfless heroes. After her debut inSpider-Man and His Amazing Friends, Marvel integrated Firestar into official comic book lore, and she has been both an Avenger and an X-Men hero since then.
Why Firestar Makes More Sense For Spider-Man 4 Than Jean Grey
Firestar Has A Much Stronger Connection To Spider-Man Than Jean Grey
WhileSadie Sink could be a great casting choice for the MCU’s Jean Grey, it would make more sense for Sink to be playing a lesser-known mutant. Jean Grey is one of the most famous and important members of the X-Men.Casting Jean Grey for a supporting role in a Spider-Man movie long before the MCU’s firstX-Menmovie arrives — and long before her fellow X-Men are cast — would be an odd decision for Marvel Studios. The MCU still needs to wrap up the Multiverse Saga, which will probably bring back multiple mutants from Fox’sX-Menfranchise before Marvel Studios introduces the next generation of live-action mutants.
How Old Is Sadie Sink And What That Tells Us About Her MCU Casting And Potential Spider-Man 4 Character
Sadie Sink has been cast in the MCU’s Spider-Man 4, with her age potentially providing hints at who she could be playing in the franchise.
As an original creation forSpider-Man and His Amazing Friends, Firestar is naturally a strong candidate for Spider-Man’s next best friend after Ned Leeds and MJ. Similarly to her 1980s animated counterpart, the MCU’s Firestar would also be a good replacement for Johnny Storm, whose friendship with Spider-Man likely won’t be able to be explored inSpider-Man 4because Joseph Quinn’s Human Torch currently inhabits a different universe.
How Spider-Man 4 Introducing Firestar Sets Up The MCU’s X-Men
Firestar’s MCU Introduction Would Be A Nice Warm-Up For The X-Men
WhileSpider-Man 4’s release datemight be close to the MCU’s firstX-Menreboot, it’s still too early to introduce a major member of the X-Men. Nevertheless,introducing a minor mutant character as Spider-Man’s new friend could lay the foundations for the MCU’s X-Men with a fresh face.Spider-Man 4could take further inspiration fromSpider-Man and His Amazing Friendsand feature a second mutant character. Now that Peter Parker is focusing more on his Spider-Man persona, it would be natural for him to replace MJ and Ned Leeds with superhero friends like Firestar and another mutant.
What’s Going On With Zendaya In The MCU’s Spider-Man 4
The MCU has announced her second major casting for the upcoming Spider-Man 4, throwing a beloved character’s future in the franchise into question.
Firestar seems like a much more likely mutant to debut in aSpider-Manmovie ahead ofthe MCU’sX-Menreboot. The MCU’s Firestar could have a similar introduction to Ms. Marvel, whose mutant gene was teased almost as soon as she first appeared. Once the Multiverse Saga ends and the Mutant Saga begins, Ms. Marvel and Firestar’s mutant nature could be officially confirmed, and they could be recruited by Charles Xavier into the X-Men.
