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Warning: Spoilers ahead for “Spider-Man: Brand New Day”
Rumors have swirled for a while, but it’s now confirmed: Sadie Sink joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Jean Grey in “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” Her rendition of this original X-Men superstar is both intriguing and familiar. Long-time Marvel watchers might recognize elements of Jean’s storyline, echoing past MCU arcs.
Jean Grey’s journey in the “Brand New Day” storyline echoes that of the Scarlet Witch, played by Elizabeth Olsen, during the “WandaVision” and “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” phases. Aside from the shared trope of fiery redheads, these characters are complex anti-heroes driven by profound loss—Jean is shattered by Sara Grey’s disappearance while Wanda grieves over Vision. Both wield mind control abilities, orchestrating others like marionettes, while grappling with isolation in their unique narratives.
The third act of “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” reveals Jean’s ability to create vast energy fields, trapping and enthralling those within, much like Wanda’s actions in “WandaVision.” Nevertheless, neither acts as a straightforward villain. Though their powers are misused with alarming frequency, the narrative ultimately affords them empathy and understanding.
Jean has narrative similarities with Wanda, but is her own character
Marvel Studios
Despite overlaps in their stories, notable distinctions exist between the paths of Wanda and Jean as they navigate their dicey MCU roles. Unlike Jean, Wanda’s trajectory as a villain is driven largely by external influences—her grief consumes her in “WandaVision,” and the Darkhold’s corruption in “Multiverse of Madness” manipulates her actions. This leaves her largely detached and unapologetically harsh, yet the devastating realization of her descent strikes her at the saga’s end, leading to solemn self-reflection.
Meanwhile, Jean is a more grounded figure who keeps her faculties for much of the movie, only lashing out near the end after finding out what happened to her sister Sara. Her apparent villainy is quite justified and directed entirely toward the Department of Damage Control. She only starts to torment Spider-Man after he insists on messing with her plans, and even then, a part of it seems to stem from genuine fascination toward a fellow “freak” instead of genuine antagonism. She only gets truly hostile after Spider-Man contributes to her getting caught by Damage Control, but the two mend fences after various misunderstandings are corrected and Spidey saves Jean’s life.
As such, it can be argued that while Wanda and Jean would certainly find plenty of things to talk about should they ever meet over a cup of coffee, seeing them in the same room together would also quickly reveal that the two are hardly narrative clones. Jean’s MCU introduction simply happens to use similar tropes as Wanda’s apparent MCU exit.
“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” is now playing in theaters.