Tom Holland is returning as the web-slinger in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. But more than his comeback as Peter Parker in the franchise’s fourth iteration, it is Sadie Sink who’s grabbing more attention from Marvel fans with her character being under total lock and key for months. Now, the biggest talking point ahead of the movie’s release on July 30 has been a memorable red carpet moment. Marvel Studios’ one best-kept secret might have accidentally been leaked at the film’s Los Angeles premiere by musician Steve Lacy, who has contributed the song “Oh Yeah?” to the film’s soundtrack.
The Stranger Things star has appeared in promotional material, but neither the studio nor the cast have confirmed who she is playing. That mystery, however, may have been blown by a seemingly offhand answer from Lacy during a red carpet interview.
Comment that sparked speculation
At the premiere, Steve Lacy was asked which character from the film he was most excited to see. Instead of giving a vague answer, he said he liked “Jean,” adding, “I like Jean. She’s the villain, but there’s a reason to her madness.”
When asked if Lacy had just dropped a spoiler, the singer did not elaborate on the character’s explanation, but simply said again that he liked the character.
The clip took no time to spread like wildfire across social media minutes later, with Marvel fans dissecting every word. Many even speculated that Lacy could have been referring to a different character named Jean and not Jean Grey. Others believe he might have been joking or mixed up some elements of the film.
Fans believe he was referencing Jean Grey
While Lacy didn’t specifically name Jean Grey or directly link his comment to Sadie Sink, many viewers were quick to make the connections. This coincides with the hottest fan theory surrounding the Spider-Man: Brand New Day for over a year that Sadie Sink would make her Marvel Cinematic Universe debut as the iconic X-Men mutant, Jean Grey. Marvel has repeatedly refused to confirm or deny the theory, but it has persisted.
Lacy’s description of a character named Jean and his mention of her being the villain of the film have further fuelled those rumours. Online reactions have varied from excitement to disbelief, with many joking that Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige would not be happy about what appears to be a slip.
Marvel has kept Sink’s role under wraps
Marvel has gone to some lengths to keep the Brand New Day spoilers under wraps until now. Sink has been tight-lipped about her character throughout the film’s promotional campaign too. Promotional footage has also provided little clues, while Tom Holland himself recently debunked speculation by saying Jean Grey was not part of the film.
Whether Steve Lacy’s statement was real or an attempt to keep the surprise is not known. This secrecy is in keeping with Marvel’s long-standing approach to big reveals of characters, especially those that involve potential future storylines involving the X-Men and the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe.