Sadie Sink's Mystery Role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day

We finally have our first glimpse of Sadie Sink on the set of Spider-man: Brand New Day, and the internet is absolutely buzzing with theories about who the Stranger Things star could be playing in the MCU!

Sadie Sink has been spotted filming for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, sparking massive fan speculation about her character.
Her consistent red hair and some combat-style clothing have fueled theories she could be Rachel Cole-Alves, but other reports contradict this.
The film, set for a July 31, 2026 release, will see Tom Holland return as Peter Parker alongside an impressive ensemble cast.

Sadie Sink Takes the Stage: A First Look at Her On-Set Appearance

After months of anticipation, Stranger Things breakout star Sadie Sink has officially been spotted on the London set of the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day! This marks her first public appearance related to the film, and naturally, fans have gone into detective mode trying to figure out her undisclosed role.

The initial set photos, which quickly made the rounds online on October 19, 2025, show Sink chatting with director Destin Daniel Cretton (who also helmed Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings). What’s immediately noticeable? Her signature red hair is still very much a part of her look for the role, complete with a fresh fringe! While an oversized jacket obscured much of her costume in the first photo, eagle-eyed fans managed to spot what looked like combat boots and camo pants, hinting at a potentially action-oriented character.

However, just to keep us all on our toes, a second image surfaced shortly after, showcasing Sink in a completely different ensemble: baggy blue jeans and a more casual jacket. This shift in wardrobe has only deepened the mystery, making it harder to pin down her character based solely on clothing.

Unmasking the Mystery: Fan Theories Galore for Sadie Sink's Character

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With Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures keeping a tight lid on official details, the internet has become a hotbed of speculation for Sadie Sink's character. Before these set photos, rumors were already flying, with many hoping she might portray a "real" version of Mary Jane Watson (distinct from Zendaya’s Michelle Jones) or even the long-awaited MCU debut of Gwen Stacy as a new love interest for Tom Holland’s Peter Parker. Visually, some fans felt she’d be perfect for MJ.

Other popular theories floating around include:

Mayday Parker: A compelling theory suggesting she could be Peter Parker's daughter, potentially taking over the franchise from Tom Holland down the line. Imagine the possibilities!
Carlie Cooper: A police officer and romantic interest of Peter Parker from the original "Brand New Day" comic book storyline. Her connection to the comic's title makes this a strong contender for some fans.
Firestar: Another mutant character, often associated with Spider-Man in comics and animated series, known for her pyrokinesis.
Jean Grey / Phoenix: This theory was quite popular even before Sink's casting was confirmed. Given that Brand New Day is rumored to tie into the larger MCU narrative (possibly preceding Avengers: Doomsday), introducing a foundational X-Men character like Jean Grey could be a huge move.
Annabelle Adams: A more obscure character from the Scarlet Spider comics, rumored in some Reddit chats, who becomes romantically involved with a clone of Peter Parker.

Her role is reportedly "significant," so whatever character she embodies, it's clear she's not just a cameo. This only adds to the excitement and the endless possibilities!

The Rachel Cole-Alves Connection: Is She The Punisher's Ally?

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One of the most compelling and discussed theories, especially after the combat-style outfit glimpse, is that Sadie Sink could be playing Rachel Cole-Alves. For those who might not know, Rachel Cole (also known as Rachel Cole-Alves) is a former U.S. Marine sergeant who becomes a formidable vigilante and a crucial ally to The Punisher in Marvel Comics.

Here’s why this theory gained so much traction:

Jon Bernthal's Return: Jon Bernthal is officially reprising his role as Frank Castle/The Punisher in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. This is a massive piece of the puzzle, as Rachel Cole is intimately tied to his character in the comics.
Visual Cues: Sink’s consistent red hair (like Cole) and the initial set photo showing her in camo pants and combat boots certainly fit the tactical, military background of Rachel Cole-Alves.
Comic Book History: Created by Greg Rucka and Marco Checchetto, Rachel debuted in The Punisher Vol. 9 #1 (2011) and shares goals with Castle, using her military training to become a solid partner.

Why the Rachel Cole-Alves Theory Might Be... Unlikely

However, despite how well this theory seemed to fit, some strong counterarguments have emerged. Multiple insiders, including reports from Murphy’s Multiverse, have indicated that Frank Castle will have a sidekick, but this character is described as being played by an "unknown Black actress." Insider John Rocha also stated on The Hot Mic podcast that The Punisher would have a "black female sidekick" in Brand New Day. Given Sadie Sink's appearance, this directly contradicts the Rachel Cole-Alves theory for her role.

Furthermore, Murphy’s Multiverse also hinted that Sink’s character "is not who she appears to be," suggesting a twist or a more ambiguous identity. The subsequent photos showing Sink in a more casual outfit also made some fans less certain about the Rachel Cole-Alves connection. So, while it's a cool idea that would make sense with Bernthal’s Punisher, current insider information seems to point elsewhere for Rachel Cole-Alves.

An Ensemble Film: More Familiar Faces & Exciting Plot Teases

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Spider-Man: Brand New Day is shaping up to be quite the ensemble piece, following the massive success of Spider-Man: No Way Home. While that film famously brought together multiple Spider-Men from across the multiverse, this next installment seems to be focusing on building out Peter Parker’s world post-identity-wipe, albeit with some big MCU connections.

The film will see the return of several fan-favorite characters beyond Tom Holland's Peter Parker:

Zendaya as MJ
Jacob Batalon as Ned Leeds
Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle / The Punisher
Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner / Hulk (his first major appearance since She-Hulk)
Michael Mando returning as Scorpion after almost a decade
Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, fresh from her appearance in Thunderbolts
J.K. Simmons for his always-welcome (brief) appearance as J. Jonah Jameson

New cast members joining Sadie Sink include Liza Colón-Zayas (from The Bear), Tramell Tillman (Emmy winner for Severance), and Marvin Jones III (also cited as Krondon) as Tombstone. The sheer number of returning and new faces suggests a rich, interconnected story.

What About the Hulk? A Wild Plot Tease!

In a surprising twist, set footage (also shared by UnBoxPHD) has sparked speculation that The Hulk might be taken away in an ambulance! This raises serious questions: Was it Bruce Banner or the Savage Hulk? What could possibly incapacitate the Green Goliath? This dramatic scenario hints at a significant, and potentially vulnerable, role for Ruffalo's character in the film, a departure from his usual invincible persona.

The Road to Avengers: Doomsday and Beyond

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The plot of Spider-Man: Brand New Day is reportedly keeping Peter Parker's journey alive after his identity was erased from the world in No Way Home. More importantly, rumors suggest this film will act as a crucial launchpad for the next massive MCU event: Avengers: Doomsday, which is slated for release in December 2026. Internet whispers have even gone so far as to suggest that Brand New Day's post-credit scene could finally reveal Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom, following a tease at the end of The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Of course, this is all just speculation for now, but it highlights the pivotal role this Spider-Man film is expected to play in the broader MCU narrative.

What We Know For Sure (So Far!) About Spider-Man: Brand New Day

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While Sadie Sink’s character remains a juicy mystery, here’s what’s locked in for the next installment of our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man’s adventures:

Official Title: Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Release Date: July 31, 2026 (Confirmed!)
Lead Star: Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man
Key Returning Cast: Zendaya (MJ), Jacob Batalon (Ned), Jon Bernthal (The Punisher), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk), Michael Mando (Scorpion), Florence Pugh (Yelena), J.K. Simmons (J. Jonah Jameson).
New Cast Members: Sadie Sink, Liza Colón-Zayas, Tramell Tillman, Marvin Jones III (Tombstone).
Plot Direction: Continues Peter’s story post-No Way Home, heavily rumored to set up Avengers: Doomsday.
Filming Location: Currently in production in London, UK.

With filming continuing and more set photos likely to surface, fans will surely keep dissecting every detail. For now, Sadie Sink’s role in the MCU is one of the most exciting unknowns heading into 2026. We can’t wait for an official announcement!

Frequently Asked Questions About Sadie Sink and Spider-Man 4

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When is Spider-Man: Brand New Day officially coming out?

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is currently set to swing into theaters on July 31, 2026. Mark your calendars!

Who is directing the new Spider-Man movie?

Destin Daniel Cretton, known for his work on Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, is directing Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Is Tom Holland returning as Spider-Man?

Absolutely! Tom Holland is confirmed to reprise his role as Peter Parker/Spider-Man in Brand New Day, continuing his journey after the events of No Way Home.

What character is Sadie Sink rumored to play in Spider-Man: Brand New Day?

Sadie Sink's character is officially undisclosed, but fan theories range from Mary Jane Watson or Gwen Stacy to more obscure comic characters like Carlie Cooper or Rachel Cole-Alves, and even Jean Grey. However, reports suggest she might not be playing Rachel Cole-Alves, adding more mystery to her role!

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