Spider-Man: Brand New Day finally introduced the MCU’s version of a major X-Men character by bringing Sadie Sink’s Jean Grey into Spider-Man’s story. She’s initially the villain in the new movie, using her powers to hope between innocent people as she tries to infiltrate Damage Control.
It’s a pretty brutal power and one that causes a lot of hurt along the way, breaking Peter Parker’s heart when she pretends to be MJ, causing Bruce Banner to become the Hulk once again, and seemingly hurting a fair few of New York City’s civilians too. However, now the movie’s screenwriters have clarified that there’s one line that Grey does not cross in the movie.
“I think technically, she’s not responsible for any deaths. But you come away with the impression, certainly, that she’s caused a lot of destruction in mayhem,” Erik Sommers, who co-wrote the film with Chris McKenna, told The Hollywood Reporter.
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“Even if you’re going to have a villain who really is redeemed at the end or goes through a transformation, you have to start them off in a place where they feel formidable. If it doesn’t feel like this is going to be someone who is a challenge to our hero, physically, emotionally, mentally, then you don’t really buy it.”
Given that Grey is set to become a key part of the upcoming X-Men movie, this feels like the correct approach. While we love morally grey characters in the MCU like Loki, Scarlet Witch, and Bucky Barnes, it would be a tricky starting point for the telepathic mutant.
Ahead of the next stage of the MCU, the X-Men cast is starting to fill out. Alongside Sink’s Grey, Ready or Not star Samara Weaving is down to play Emma Frost and Heartstopper star Kit Connor is in the running as Cyclops. With D23 just around the corner, we could get more actors announced very soon.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is in theaters now. For more on the movie, check out our Spider-Man: Brand New Day review and our guide to how to watch the Marvel movies in order.