We could be seeing Sadie Sink take the place of Zendaya in Spider-Man: Brand New Day as the Stranger Things star is rumored to be ing the MCU as a multiverse variant of none other than Gwen Stacy.

It’s been a tough few years for MCU Spider-Man fans. Can you believe it’s been nearly four whole years since we last saw Tom Holland’s web-slinging hero on the big screen? How the time flies. But at long last we’re seeing signs of life with Marvel gearing up for a fourth movie in 2026, and with the hype of a new Spidey instalment comes all the rumors and speculation we’re used to seeing.

The Sadie Sink rumor explored

The rumor has been attributed to Jeff Sneider, the same guy who claimed Robert Downey Jr. would be playing Doctor Doom two months before the announcement was made. If his source is right then that means we could be seeing Sink swing onto our screens as the new live-action Gwen Stacy.

While Sneider has proven himself to be reliable with leaks in the past he isn’t always spot on. Three months ago he was saying that Sink’s role in the MCU might be as an MJ variant. Prior to that he was claiming she was set to play Jean Grey. So let’s take what this guy says with a grain of salt. It certainly sounds like Sadie Sink will be appearing in the MCU in some capacity, but the exact details of her role are somewhat vague right now.

Fan reactions to the news ranged from excitement, with some saying she’s perfect for the role, to confusion, with one person noting that she has “been rumored so far to be playing 10 different characters.”

What does this mean for Zendaya?

We have plenty of questions about this casting of course. First of all, will Sink be playing regular Gwen Stacy or Spider-Gwen? If it’s the former then that would make her a potential love interest to Peter Parker. So what would that mean for Zendaya’s MJ? 

The truth is we just don’t know right now. It’s not even confirmed that this is 100% the role Sadie Sink will be playing in the Spider-Man film. In all honesty even if Sink does the cast as Gwen there will probably always be room for Zendaya/MJ. Her character is pretty much integral to every Spider-Man story and it’s hard to imagine Marvel giving us a Spider-Man story without Tom Holland and Zendaya. 

Let’s not forget the fact that the two are also engaged in real life making it even more unlikely that Marvel would keep them separate on-screen. Either way, it will be interesting to see how the dynamics of this iteration of Peter Parker and MJ shift with the potential addition of Gwen Stacy.

It’s been 84 years, but Spider-Man 4 is finally getting somewhere as the first new cast member for the long-awaited next outing for Tom Holland’s webslinger has been announced. And, honestly, Zendaya might want to be worried that someone is coming to steal her man (um, only on screen, that is).

As per Deadline, Stranger Things breakout Sadie Sink has ed Holland in the currently untitled fourth MCU Spider-Man film. Shang-Chi‘s Destin Daniel Cretton is taking over directing duties for this one, with Holland and Zendaya both confirmed to feature. The latter, however, is expected to have somewhat of a reduced role. Both on of where the last movie left off and because she’s also due to shoot both Dune 3 and Euphoria season 3 in the coming months.

It’s currently unclear who Sink could be playing, but given her closeness in age to Holland — she’s 22, he’s 28 — and Zendaya’s limited presence, she could well be the film’s female lead and therefore a potential new love interest for Peter Parker. Deadline notes that the “prevailing theory” surrounding Sink’s casting is that she could be Jean Grey, but this seems rooted in fan conjecture and the actress’ resemblance to the iconic X-Men heroine rather than insider information.

Another theory that’s gaining traction is that Sink could be the MCU’s actual Mary Jane Watson, as Zendaya’s character is known as MJ but is officially Michelle Jones. While conceptually possible, though, this feels extremely unlikely as it could only be viewed as a slight to Zendaya and a capitulation to the racist backlash that’s shadowed her take on the character since 2017. Besides, No Way Home effectively confirmed that Michelle is this Earth’s variant of Mary Jane. Deal with it, haters.

So who could Sink realistically be portraying? Marvel fans have ideas. Like, a lot of ideas. “Forget Jean Grey, give me Angelica Jones,” pitched one Redditor. This is in reference to the second most notable redhead associated with Spidey — the mutant heroine Firestar, most ed for her starring role in 1980s cartoon Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends. “If the title of this movie somehow turns out to be Spider-Man & His Amazing Friends and they cast Iceman I’ll be hyped af,” wrote a fellow child of the ’80s. “That cartoon was the best as a kid!”

Another wondered if the Jean Grey rumor might just be a case of mistaken identity. “Maybe he misheard and it was actually “Jeanne”. As in Jeanne Foucault/Finesse">Peter and MJ forcibly separated due to the memory-wiping spell in No Way Home, the most obvious route to go down would be for Gwen to show up. And yet the X-Men are coming, so slotting a mutant character like Jean or even Firestar in there could be the logical choice, too. Zendaya fans can rest assured that she will return in Spider-Man 4, but seeing as she is the first person ing the cast, it does seem like Sink might just steal the show… and maybe Peter’s heart.

Stranger Things has taken the world by storm since its release in 2016, and its cast has skyrocketed to fame right along with it. The young stars have had the opportunity to start businesses, appear on Broadway, and star in Oscar-nominated films. With success rolling in from all angles, the cash is rolling in too.

Here is the cast ranked by net worth as of 2023 according to CelebrityNetWorth.com. It is worth noting that these numbers are typically an estimate, so take them with a grain of salt.

Sadie Sink

Sadie Sink ed the cast during season 2 of the Netflix series. She quickly won over audiences’ hearts and has gone on to star in Taylor Swift’s All Too Well short film and the Oscar-Nominated film The Whale. Sink reportedly makes $150,000 per episode in the latest season and has a respectable net worth of $1 million as of early 2023.

Noah Schnapp

Aside from his role as Will Byers on Stranger Things, Noah Schnapp has taken the TikTok world by storm, earning 32 million followers. He is currently a student at the University of Pennsylvania and has a net worth of $3 million, according to online information, making $250,000 per episode in the most recent season.

Caleb McLaughlin

Best known for his role as Lucas Sinclair in the show, Caleb McLaughlin actually began his career as Young Simba on Broadway’s The Lion King. More recently, he released a new song entitled “Soul Traveler” and became a spokesperson for Dior. He reportedly made $250,00 per episode in the most recent season and has an estimated net worth of $3 million.

Maya Hawke

Uma Thurman’s daughter, Maya Hawke, ed the cast in season 2 and quickly became a fan favorite. After rising to stardom on the show Hawke starred alongside Camila Mendes in the Netflix movie Do Revenge and in the Wes Anderson film Asteroid City. The 25-year-old has an estimated net worth of $3 million.

Finn Wolfhard

Finn Wolfhard is best known for his role as Mike Wheeler but he is also a relatively successful musician with his indie-rock band The Aubreys which just released a single entitled “KATO”. Wolfhard also starred in It and It Part Two. Wolfhard has a reported net worth of $4 million.

Charlie Heaton

Charlie Heaton is best known for playing Jonathan Byers on Stranger Things but also starred in the 2020 film New Mutants and will appear with Al Pacino in the film Billy Knight. The 29-year-old reportedly made $150,000 per episode and has a current net worth of $4 million.

Natalia Dyer

Natalia Dyer plays Nancy Wheeling in the Netflix show but also appeared in the Peacock comedy Based on a True Story. Aside from the much anticipated fifth season of Stranger Things, the actress is set to appear in the 2023 mystery All Fun and Games. The 28-year-old also has a reported net worth of $4 million.

Joe Keery

Joe Keery began starring as Steve Harrington in season 1 of Stranger Things and quickly became a heartthrob. Keery has also starred in movies like Spree and Free Guy and even performed in the musical group Post Animal until 2019. The 31-year-old’s estimated net worth is $4 million.

Gaten Matarazzo

Gaten Matarazzo won the hearts of Stranger Things fans in season 1 with his role as Dustin Henderson, but he actually began his career on Broadway. The 20-year-old starred in shows like Les Misérables and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and currently plays Tobias in Sweeney Todd on Broadway. He also starred in the 2022 Netflix film Honor Society. His estimated net worth is $5 million. From the young stars who made their names in Stranger Things, Matarazzo would seem one of the biggest winners.

David Harbour

David Harbour is most recognizable for his role as Hopper, but since rising to stardom, he has booked roles in every corner of Hollywood. From Black Widow to Violent Night to War of Worlds the 48-year-old has been booked and busy. He even has an blockbuster entitled Grand Tourismo coming out in August 2023. After all of his hard work, Harbour reportedly has a net worth of $6 million.

Millie Bobby Brown

Millie Bobbir Brown broke onto the acting scene in her role as Eleven and even received multiple Primetime Emmy nominations for the role. She has gone on to star in the Enola Holmes Netflix films series and also launched her own beauty brand, Florence by Mills in 2019. The actress is also the youngest Goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. She has an estimated net worth of $14 million. This should come as no surprise given how synonymous her image has become with Stranger Things itself.

Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder has been a staple in Hollywood for over 30 years, but Stranger Things fans know her as Joyce Byers. She has starred in cult classics like Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, and Heathers. She is also set to appear in the 2024 Beetlejuice sequel with Jenna Ortega. The actress has amassed an estimated net worth of $18 million from all of her work in Hollywood.

The cast is expected to get a raise for the final season of the show earning up to $9 million per episode. Stranger Things is set to release season 5 in 2025, until then fans will have to watch and rewatch their favorite characters on Netflix and look out for any and all projects.

Jessica Chastain sent BookTok, Bookstagram, BookTube, and all other book communities into a collective meltdown when she seemingly confirmed she would not be starring in the Netflix adaptation of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – a mega-popular novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

It’s not often that people online all agree on one thing, but Evelyn Hugo had united everyone behind the wish to see Chastain take on the role of the protagonist’s star-crossed lover Celia St. James. Although the Oscar-winning actress once expressed interest in the film by saying “Send me a script,” a video of her stating she’s “not doing it” has since gone viral. In the aftermath, Chastain has taken to Twitter to clarify the content of the video, but it’s looking increasingly likely that another actress will become Netflix’s Celia in the end.

“I’ve been asked multiple times by fans, to sign books that I’m not attached to contractually. Because it feels wrong, and like I’m taking credit for someone else’s work, I’ll say I cant sign because I’m not doing it. That doesn’t mean I’ve read a bad script,”

While the Molly’s Game actress would be an undeniably perfect fit for the role of Celia, there’s no shortage of redheaded, blue-eyed talent in Hollywood that would do an equally great job if they were to be tapped by Netflix. Here are some of our picks.

9. Eliza Scanlen

We promise we didn’t just include Eliza Scanlen in this list because, like Celia, she played Beth March in a film version of Little Women, but there’s a reason Taylor Jenkins Reid picked Beth for Celia to play out of every character in the book, just like Greta Gerwig chose Scanlen for her film. Both Scanlen and Celia know how to tap in to the more vulnerable, softer sides of their characters, nurturing them with surprising depth and complexity. Playing Celia — particularly the portion of the story related to Little Women, which is absolutely central in her and Evelyn’s relationship — could be a cool full-circle/inception kind of moment for Scanlen.

8. Sophie Turner

As Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones, Sophie Turner terrifically embodied the dark horse type of character that audiences didn’t take seriously, and often undermined until she proved she knew exactly what she was doing the entire time. Celia shares a lot of those same characteristics. Although pristinely beautiful, innocent, and selfless, the fictional actress was one of the greatest talents of her generation, going on to win three Oscars at different stages of her career, and never letting anyone, not even Evelyn, dictate how she should live her life. We think Sophie Turner would know exactly how to portray this duality.

7. Olivia Holt

Olivia Holt’s Disney Channel beginnings might have you dismissing our decision to include her in this list but don’t write her off so fast. Not only is Holt currently playing Chicago’s Roxie Hart on Broadway, but she has also more than demonstrated her dramatic talent in shows like Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger and Cruel Summer. A role like Celia’s would be the perfect platform to cement her place among Hollywood’s A list, and Holt definitely fits the bill. From her all-American looks to her kind features, this young starlet would be a great Celia St. James.

6. Dianna Agron

If we’re talking classic beauty, it’s no wonder Dianna Agron springs to mind. Although the 36-year-old actress has opted for indie projects ever since being projected into the stratosphere by her performance as Quinn Fabray in Fox’s Glee, she could still find a popular story like Evelyn Hugo worthwhile. We’re sure Agron would look stunning with a red tint in her hair – and there’s no doubt she would be a convincing love interest to whatever actress gets to be Evelyn.

5. Deborah Ann Woll

Fans of Marvel’s Netflix shows like Daredevil and Punisher might not know that Deborah Ann Woll is a natural redhead. In Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Celia is described as the girl-next-door, America’s sweetheart, and effortlessly captivating – a profile that we think fits Woll like a glove. The actress has a calm presence with a hint of spark as Karen Page in the Marvel world, much like Celia herself. It also doesn’t hurt that she’s absolutely gorgeous.

4. Bridget Regan

Could Bridget Regan be the older Celia to Sadie Sink’s young adult version of the character? We can definitely see it. This striking natural redhead has made queer audiences swoon for the good part of a decade now with her villainous outings in Agent Carter, Jane the Virgin, and Batwoman, so maybe it’s time she changes things up and opts for the wholesome lover instead? Although we’re used to seeing the snide, vengeful side of Regan, we have no doubt she could bring Celia’s altruistic and comionate nature to life just as well.

3. Victoria Pedretti

Victoria Pedretti might not have Celia’s exact look (nothing some blue-tint lenses and hair dye can’t fix), but the Haunting of Bly Manor actress has a huge queer following that would certainly love to see her take on a lesbian character as beloved as Celia. In Bly Mannor, Pedretti and co-star Amelia Eve created one of the most beautiful queer couples on TV within the last decade, and it’s definitely important that whoever is cast as Celia can portray real, earnest attraction to another woman. One would think a great actress could play any character, but queer audiences know it’s not always easy to put on a convincing gay performance.

2. Sadie Sink

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo adaptation might opt for casting different actresses to play the same characters, seeing as — as the story progresses — the characters also grow older. Sadie Sink is only 21, but when Celia and Evelyn meet on the set of Little Women, the redhead is even younger – between 19 and 20. The Stranger Things actress has proved she is one of the great talents to watch within Hollywood’s new generation, and she is obviously well acquainted with Netflix, considering the streamer gave her the role that launched her career. Additionally, it’s way easier (and less expensive) to age actors up than down. Sink would be a great choice for Celia, truly embodying the ingénue aspect of the character in the early chapters of the book.

1. Meghann Fahy

Meghann Fahy is this writer’s personal choice to bring Celia St. James to life. After overlooking the untapped potential of the beautiful Massachusetts native in Freeform’s The Bold Type, the world at large was finally introduced to Fahy’s understated and charismatic acting chops during season two of HBO’s The White Lotus. The 32-year-old actress matches Jenkins Reid’s description of Celia to a T, from the kind blue eyes, to the strawberry blonde locks, and the classic beauty. As an up-and-coming actress, following her success in The White Lotus, taking on a movie as highly anticipated as The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo wouldn’t be a bad move at all for Fahy going forward.

When it comes to Superman: Legacy, the much-anticipated opening chapter of the rebooted DCU, all fans can think about is who will be cast as our new Big Blue Boy Scout. Whoever has to slip into the bright red boots previously worn by Henry Cavill has a tough job on their hands, but writer (and probably director) James Gunn is likely to go in a completely different direction, as intel suggests the latest Last Son of Krypton will be around 25.

However, a Superman movie is much more than just the hero with his name in the title. Sure, Christopher Reeve might be the star of the 1978 classic, but the contributions of Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando, and others helped make it the iconic piece of cinema it is today. In that vein, here are 10 actors Gunn needs to cast in Superman: Legacy who might even manage to steal the show away from the mysterious Man of Steel himself.

Kate McKinnon as Maggie Sawyer

Maggie Sawyer isn’t one of the most recognizable ing characters from the Superman mythos, but that’s why Gunn needs to fix that in Legacy. The Metropolis PD detective — one of the few openly lesbian characters in comics when first introduced in the late 1980s — could be depicted as Clark Kent’s own answer to Batman’s Commissioner Gordon. To add some charisma to the role, we’d need Gunn to hire someone who makes the most of any part they play — like the one and only Kate McKinnon.

Sadie Sink as Lana Lang

Outside of the couple’s angst-ridden adolescent romance on Smallville, Lana Lang’s status as Clark’s first love is something that most Superman adaptations tend to skip over. Legacy could bolster her role, however, by either revealing Clark’s relationship with Lana during his teen years via flashbacks or else see her return to his life in the present, throwing a spanner in the works of his blossoming connection with Lois. In either case, Stranger Things‘ Sadie Sink would be a brilliant casting choice.

Sheryl Lee Ralph as Martha Kent

Martha Kent is one of the most underrated characters in any Superman story as Clark’s adoptive human mother arguably serves as the moral com of her alien son, pointing him in the right direction, much like Spider-Man’s Aunt May. We’re used to seeing her play a more caustic character in TV’s Abbot Elementary, but Sheryl Lee Ralph could be a tremendous pick to be the latest actress to portray Jonathan Kent’s widow in Superman: Legacy.

Noah Jupe as Jimmy Olsen

Poor Jimmy Olsen, apparently so detested by Zack Snyder that he was killed off in his one and only scene in Batman v Superman. Gunn has the opportunity to go back to basics with The Daily Planet’s intern photographer, then, offering up a keen but wet-behind-the-ears ally for Clark and Lois. Considering that those two will only be in their mid-20s in this flick, Jimmy would have to be even younger, though, making Wonder‘s Noah Jupe (currently 17) the perfect age for the part.

Nathan Fillion as Perry White

Given James Gunn and Nathan Fillion’s close working relationship, we fully expected the latter’s Suicide Squad character T.D.K. to return for Peacemaker, but that never happened. While he could still pop up in Waller, it might be more fun to cast him in a fresh role in the new DCU. So how about Perry White, The Daily Planet Editor-In-Chief? To be honest, Perry often comes across as a Diet version of J. Jonah Jameson, but Fillion could bring a great comedic energy to the character.

Dave Bautista as Bibbo Bibbowski

Dave Bautista definitely won’t be the DCU’s Bane, but Gunn’s promise that all of the Guardians of the Galaxy will be invited aboard his shiny, new franchise eventually tells us he’ll show up somewhere. And this might be the best role for him. Every other Superman movie has shied away from the long-standing comics character of Bibbo Bibbowski, a tough-guy barman and bruiser who’s nonetheless the Man of Steel’s biggest fan, but Gunn is exactly the sort to finally give him a shot in live-action.

Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor

Now wouldn’t this just blow everyone’s minds? Michael Rosenbaum is another of Gunn’s closest collaborators, so it’s a given he’ll show up in the DCU somewhere. But it would be really something if he was brought back as Lex Luthor, following his still definitive portrayal of the villain on Smallville. His Lex wouldn’t have to be — and probably shouldn’t be – the main villain, but this multiversal crossover would be the coolest of its kind since (fellow) Michael Keaton’s Batman return in The Flash.

Jude Law as Brainiac

When it comes to who should be the central antagonist of Legacy, though, there’s one extremely obvious contender: Brainiac, the most notable Superman villain yet to have a movie appearance to his name. As for who should finally bring the knowledge-hoarding android to life, Jude Law would be a smart choice. Not only would he nail the robot’s cool and sinister demeanor, he has a secret history with Superman himself, as he came close to landing the part of the Man of Steel in the early 2000s.

Henry Cavill as Jor-El

In the words of James Gunn himself, Henry Cavill was severely “d*cked” around by DC, which is a true crime given how much Cavill loves Superman. So maybe Gunn can extend an olive branch to both the star and his loyal fans by offering Cavill a small but key role in Legacy, that of Kal-El’s biological father, Jor-El? Having Cavill take on the part that Russell Crowe played opposite him a decade ago could be a moving way to close the door on his DC career by bringing it full circle.

Camila Mendes as Lois Lane

Naturally, though, the most important ing role outside of Superman in a Superman movie is that of Lois Lane, the First Lady of the DC Universe herself. There are various directions Gunn could go with the character, but a surprisingly convincing Reddit thread has argued that Riverdale‘s Camila Mendes would be a spot-on pick for The Daily Planet’s greatest reporter, and honestly it’s hard to disagree. She has the perfect energy, is the perfect age, and she’s already got married to TV Supes Tyler Hoechlin in a movie.

Superman: Legacy is scheduled to release on July 11, 2025.

Since its inception, Stranger Things has always been a TV show rooted in reality. 

Yes, believe it or not, this show about an alternate dimension, telepathic children, and ghoulish Demogorgons has managed to keep us on the edge of our seats, largely by making us believe its premise could just as quickly happen to one of us. Not every show has – or even wants – to succeed in this way, but Stranger Things does, and a chunk of that credit goes to its cast of talented young actors; child stars who have carried the weight of Hawkins, Indiana on their 12-year-old shoulders ever since season one. 

Come late 2024 or 2025, the fifth and final season of Stranger Things will air on Netflix, bringing to a close the story of once-middle school nerds and of the Hellfire Club, Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Will (Noah Schnapp), Max (Sadie Sink), and their superpowered friend Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). 

By that point, these young actors will no longer be kids. All of them will be in their 20s, including Finn Wolfhard, who alluded to the fifth season’s release date in an interview with GQ when he said, “I can’t really believe it’s the fifth season either. By the time it comes out I will be 22, I think, and I started working on the show at 12.”

Wolfhard turns 22 on Dec. 23, 2024, meaning if Stranger Things doesn’t release its fifth season in the eight days succeeding his birthday, it will officially premiere in 2025. 

“That is insane,” he said. “I’ll be able to drink with Gaten and Caleb and Noah and the whole cast at the premiere of Stranger Things 5, which, couldn’t have said the same thing at the season one premiere.”

The mention of Wolfhard’s age calls into question the age of his co-stars as well. Come early 2025, McLaughlin will be 23, Matarazzo will be 22, Schnapp will be 20, Sink will be 22, and Brown will be 20, on the verge of 21. The characters they play on TV, however, will still be in high school. 

Although the finer details of season five are up in the air at the moment, the presumption is that this band of nerds will still be in the thick of high school since season four is the first season they began their freshmen year. As a matter of fact, Eleven and crew are meant to be around the age of 14 in season four, which is the age at which most young people begin their freshman year. 

Even if season five were to jump ahead one year, that would put the characters at 15 or 16 years old. There would still be a five to six-year age difference compared to their real ages. Sure, we suspended our belief for season four when most of the cast was around 17, 18, or even 19 years old playing 14-year-olds, but the physical maturity that occurs between 18 and 21, or even 22, is some of the most pronounced, as many can attest. Come season five, it’s going to get a lot harder to suspend said belief. 

This issue originated in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic caused extended filming delays that ultimately resulted in a three-year gap between seasons three and four. The believability factor the show once had went partially out the window. But only just partially. 

Thankfully, as the actors have matured, so too has the show. The ending of season four saw Sink’s character Max bed-bound in the hospital after having her mind terrorized and body broken by Eleven’s arch-nemesis and fellow Rainbow Room sibling, Vecna aka One aka Henry Creel (Jamie Campbell Bower). McLaughlin’s character Lucas held her in his arms as she died, and Eleven witnessed it all before bringing her back to life. 

Next season, the group will have to contend with the aftermath. In the brief moment that Max died, all four gates to the Upside Down opened, tearing Hawkins apart (literally) and ripping the fabric of reality wide open. Vecna murdered his four victims, and now there’s nothing stopping him or the monsters of the Upside Down from terrorizing Hawkins; it’s unlikely Vecna is actually dead. 

When season five arrives, our once-innocent nerds will have experienced more hardship, strife, and death than most people do their entire lifetime. Their baby fat will have melted away, their limbs will have elongated, and their voices will have matured. When filming finally begins, four out of the six actors will be in their 20s. 

The fifth and final season of Stranger Things begin filming in May 2023.

In the wake of rumors that Thunderbolts has lost one of its ensemble cast of Marvel villains and anti-heroes, it seems the MCU movie has found someone new to fill the gap. Hannah John-Kamen was recently claimed to have walked away from the production, meaning we maybe shouldn’t expect to see her back as Ant-Man and the Wasp‘s Ghost after all. That came as a huge blow to fans, but the latest news has reawakened their appetite for the film somewhat.

As per Deadline, The Bear actress Ayo Edebiri has been added to the cast of Thunderbolts, from director Jake Schreier, in what’s being described as a “secret role.” The combination of this term plus the publication’s phrasing that Edebiri has “found a new team to ” has only left theorists convinced that the star will be playing a member of the Thunderbolts lineup. And the smart money is on them portraying a certain comic book heroine, perhaps even pushing a Stranger Things icon out the way in the process.

Yes, everyone seems convinced that Edebiri has been cast as Songbird, a character that Sadie Sink was previously rumored to be in the running to play. There aren’t too many prominent female of the Thunderbolts, though, so that does narrow the potential roles. The options are basically Songbird or some completely out-of-left-field character.

Did Marvel deliberately try to throw us off the track by planting that Sadie Sink rumor itself?

Alternatively, what if Edebiri is Moonstone not Songbird?

Meanwhile, if the actress is the MCU’s Songbird, some are already predicting that the casting of someone of her Catholic background as a traditionally Jewish character will cause social media waves.

Exactly how Ayo Edebiri will fit into Thunderbolts remains to be seen, however. We’ll find out as we get ever closer to the film’s release on July 26, 2024.

Despite having a known slate of films and television shows all the way through to 2026, we’re still somewhat in the dark as to what to expect from the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, at least in of what characters are going to come and go, and who is going to play them.

Until we get any official word from Kevin Feige and the powers that be, all we can do is grasp at any rumors that spring forth and speculate wildly about their validity. One such rumor has surfaced about Stranger Things star and Kate Bush fan Sadie Sink, who is reportedly being eyed to portray Songbird in Thunderbolts next year, although we should point out the story originated on Reddit.

While many would have presumed Sink to be a shoo-in for Jean Grey when the X-Men finally make their MCU debut (probably by the time the actress herself turns 50 at this rate), there are plenty of fans who are delighted with the casting. 

Of course, there are also plenty of naysayers that are saying that Sink is too young to portray either role, to which we would say – you’ve only seen her in Stranger Things playing a teenager, and despite the series stubbornly continuing, pretty much that entire kid cast is all grown up at this stage. she’s 20 years of age, and Caleb McLaughlin has a beard, for crying out loud!

In any case, Marvel Studios had best be making its mind up about casting soon and get principal production underway, seeing as Thunderbolts is slated for a July 26, 2024 release date. 

We still have at least a year before the Hawkins gang makes their final bow in the fifth and final season of Stranger Things, and while the prospect of more Mike, Steve, Hopper, and everyone else is always welcome, knowing that this will be the last we see of Stranger Things is enough to elicit quite a few sobs from Netflix s everywhere.

Now imagine being in the position of someone like Sadie Sink, who, alongside her fellow young leads, effectively grew up on set, blossoming into one of the most promising young acting talents of today. To have to say goodbye to a show that birthed your career is brutal on its own, but in Sink’s case, it’s like leaving a family behind.

In an interview with Today, Sink lamented the incoming departure, noting how the cast and creatives of the Stranger Things team were a great source of security for her, but nevertheless acknowledging that the next chapter of her career is an exciting development in its own right.

It’s going to be awful. It’s going to be horrible. These kids, this entire cast and crew, this is like — I mean, it’s family. People say it all the time, but I genuinely mean it. And to think that we have to kind of say goodbye to that security and knowing that we won’t be seeing each other for another season, it’s scary and sad, but I think it’s exciting to move on to the next chapter.

Sink isn’t the only one looking forward to what she does next. Her Stranger Things co-star Winona Ryder declared last year that Sink would be this era’s Meryl Streep, which easily hovers around the highest praise you can possibly receive as a young actress. And while the sentiment is an entirely agreeable one, it’s just as safe to say that Sink’s talent will go on to transcend comparisons to more journeyed stars. 40 years from now, a young actress is going to be dubbed “the next Sadie Sink.”

Stranger Things 5 is reportedly looking at a 2024 release date. In the meantime, you can catch Sink’s evocative performance in Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale, which is currently playing in theaters.

Sadie Sink reveals what she thinks her character Max should do when and if she wakes up in Stranger Things season five, and it’s hard not to blame her.

In an interview with Variety, Sink spoke openly about her character, who she believes is smart enough to leave, but her loyalty to her friends might make her stay and fight to protect Hawkins.

“I feel like everything Max went through, you know, if she ever wakes up, then I think she would just flee. I think she’s gonna get out of Hawkins, she’s too smart to stay there. But she’s also a very loyal friend so who knows? It’ll be conflicting.”

Given what happened in Stranger Things season four, it’s hard to blame Sink for thinking that Max would want to leave as soon as she’s conscious. Max was terrorized by Vecna, who targeted grief-stricken people and tortured them until they died. Thankfully, she had the trusty song “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush and her friends to help her, but she still ended up dead for a time. She was revived but now remains injured and in a coma by the end of the season.

Max died long enough for a gateway to the Upside Down to open and now all its monsters are coming to the world to unleash havoc. In the season four finale, Hawkins is recovering from the destruction caused by this, and to save the world, it’ll take the combined teamwork of these friends to stop Vecna once and for all.

Sink is also onboard for the Max and Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) romance that went through the wringer in season four, she says in the interview, adding that she finds them really cute and the note exchange was sweet, and she wants to see something happen in their relationship. The heartbreaking scene where Max levitated then collapsed to the floor and was held by a tearful Lucas was very emotional but also fun with her longtime friend McLaughlin.

Stranger Things has been called out for not going through with some major deaths, but executive producer Shawn Levy has promised a very emotional final season. The show has come a long way and has changed the lives of the actors, so saying goodbye to the series will be impactful on many levels.

Stranger Things is available to stream on Netflix.

Oscar-bait film The Whale stars Hollywood household name Brendan Fraser as well as Stranger Things alum, Sadie Sink. While many may be acquainted with Fraser’s legacy as an actor from his tiny linen cloth in George of the Jungle, it seems as though a newer generation isn’t as familiar with Disney’s older movies.

Sink itted, via Insider, that she was actually completely unaware of Fraser’s lengthy repertoire. The 20-year-old confessed that she was completely left in the dark when it came to her co-star, who is 34 her senior.

“I didn’t know who he was. I was unfamiliar with his work, but I was just like, ‘Hey, nice to meet you.”

Although it may seem surprising that Sink had never watched Fraser’s Disney legendary films, it is not at all unlikely that she simply never came across the comedy movie. Sam Weisman’s George of the Jungle was released in 1997, while Sink was only born in 2002. Considering she grew up in the mid-2010s, it does make sense that Fraser’s name never ed her ears.

Regardless of their age gap, the 20-year-old itted Fraser was always helpful and kind behind the scenes. Sink plays a young Ellie who has a strained relationship with her estranged father, Charlie (Fraser), and in spite of their on-screen complicated dynamic, the actors’ friendship grew behind the camera.

It’s such a tricky dynamic that our two characters have. But throughout the rehearsal process, he was such a trooper. Some of the things that Ellie has to say to him, it’s not easy stuff to take. But we just really, really trusted each other and because of that, I think we were fully comfortable with one another.

The Whale hits theaters today.

We’re merely three days away from catching a glimpse of Brendan Fraser‘s triumphant comeback in The Whale, the latest psychological drama from Darren Aronofsky that’s reportedly put Fraser near the front of the line for Best Actor at next year’s Oscars ceremony.

Indeed, paired with rising superstar Sadie Sink, it looks like Fraser’s turn in The Whale will require more than a few tissue boxes to experience, and given his tumultuous relationship with Hollywood that left him tragically blacklisted all these years, there have been fewer more poetic moments this year than Fraser’s emotionally charged return to the big screen.

And no one has had a more visceral reaction to Fraser’s return than Fraser himself. In an interview with Variety alongside Adam Sandler, the 54-year-old actor opened up about how COVID-19 affected the production of the film, and subsequently his potential involvement with it.

“We started talking about it in January 2020. And then March 2020 came along, and we all know what happened. Everything shut down, so the film went on ice.”

And while he never entirely lost faith in the project ultimately coming to fruition, Fraser itted to having a joy-laden panic attack when he found out that Aronofsky was bringing him back on.

“I kept the faith. But I’ve seen the ship sail plenty of times before, and I don’t take it personally. He texted me. In typical Darren fashion, he starts the conversation right in the middle: ‘This is your research.’ ‘Am I hired?’ He’s like, ‘Yes.’ I had an equal part panic attack and felt calmly overjoyed.”

The Whale stars Fraser as Charlie, an English teacher near the end of his life, who’s wrestling with regrets over leaving his wife and daughter for his now-deceased lover. As he attempts to reconnect with his daughter, Ellie, the two paint a tear-jerking portrait of comion, forgiveness, shame, and humanity.

The Whale will release to theaters on Dec. 9.