Sadie Sink’s mystery Spider-Man: Brand New Day role has become one of the most popular talking points when it comes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and I believe I might have found out who the actress could be playing. Spider-Man: Brand New Day‘s cast is shaping up to be one of the most exciting out of all MCU movies and shows.
Not only is Tom Holland returning to continue the fan-favorite MCU Spider-Man franchise, but Marvel Studios will also bring back two major stars from the franchise, with Mark Ruffalo reprising his role as the Hulk and Jon Bernthal finally appearing in a movie as the Punisher. Villains like Scorpion and Tombstone are also confirmed, played by Michael Mando and Marvin Jones III.
While most of the announced or reported cast for Spider-Man: Brand New Day have clear roles, Stranger Things star Sadie Sink’s MCU character continues to be a mystery. That has led to numerous theories about who she could be playing, ranging from Marvel heroes to Spider-Man love interests to a multiverse character and more. However, a new MCU theory links her to Bernthal’s Punisher.
Sadie Sink Has Been Rumored For Multiple MCU Roles
Given how the actress is one of the main stars of Stranger Things, Netflix’s flagship series, Sink is expected to be one of the key pieces of the next Spider-Man movie. Some reports have claimed that she plays the female lead of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, given that Zendaya’s MJ is only expected to be back in a limited capacity.
When it comes to Spider-Man’s world, Sink has become a fan-favorite for three important love interests. The biggest rumor among the three roles is that she could be playing the MCU’s Mary Jane Watson. Given that Zendaya’s MJ is called Michelle Jones and has a very different personality from Mary Jane, Sink could play the comics-accurate MJ.
Alternatively, Gwen Stacy and Black Cat have emerged as other Spider-Man love interests for her to play now that MJ does not remember who Peter Parker is. In the comics, Gwen was introduced when Peter went to college, which is where Holland’s Spider-Man is expected to be in the next film. As for Black Cat, she perfectly suits a street-level movie.
As per the end of the Spider-Man: No Way Home script, Peter Parker is no more, with the hero fully embracing his Spider-Man life now that he is all alone. Black Cat’s dual idenтιтies could help her connect with Peter, being able to live the same dangerous life as him, while also pushing him back to being Peter Parker too.
Beyond Spider-Man love interests, Sadie Sink was reported to be the frontrunner for the MCU’s Jean Grey before her Spider-Man: Brand New Day casting news. As such, there is a chance the X-Men character could be involved in the film before the team’s formal MCU debut. Alternatively, a multiversal Mayday Parker, being the daughter of Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man, became a popular theory for Sink.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day Theory Makes Sadie Sink The Punisher’s Partner
While the Stranger Things star would certainly be a great choice for all of those major Marvel characters, a new Spider-Man: Brand New Day theory suggests her role might be connected to the Punisher, playing a character created in 2011. Not only is Sink red-haired like the hero, but she has played the same kind of gritty heroes in the past.
In Marvel Comics, Rachel Cole saw her entire family get killed at her wedding reception, being the sole survivor. Her story is similar to Frank Castle’s, with Rachel eventually teaming up with the Punisher, even donning armor with his skull logo, to get revenge. Rachel Cole fits Spider-Man: Brand New Day due to the Punisher’s role in it and the villains revealed for the movie.
By all accounts, the MCU’s next Spider-Man movie will be a street-level adventure. However, with characters like the Hulk, Scorpion, and Tombstone, Jon Bernthal’s Punisher will need all the help he can get if he is to win fights against those more powerful than him. Sadie Sink could then play Rachel, teaming up with the Punisher to stop criminals with influence like Tombstone and Scorpion.
Rachel Cole’s Connection To The MCU’s Wider Street-Level Storyline Makes Her Debut More Likely
Image via Disney+
In the comics, Rachel Cole was involved in a gang war, as well as the Mayor Fisk storyline. This is why the timing is perfect for her to be Sadie Sink’s mystery MCU role. After all, Daredevil: Born Again season 1 ended with Wilson Fisk having all the power as New York City’s mayor, outlawing all vigilantes. The Punisher escaped from Kingpin’s prison.
Speaking to ScreenRant, Marvel Studios’ Head of TV, Streaming, and Animation, Brad Winderbaum, claimed that Daredevil: Born Again used New York City as a “medieval kingdom where there’s different people vying for power.” That could lead to a gang war in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, justifying the multiple confirmed villains, the Punisher’s presence, and opening the door for Rachel Cole.
Why A Street-Level MCU Hero Makes More Sense For Sadie Sink Than A Popular Multiverse Theory
At this time, the most popular theory of who Sink could be playing is Mayday Parker, who would be the daughter of Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man and Kirsten Dunst’s Mary Jane Watson. While that would be exciting, Spider-Man: No Way Home was already a major multiversal event, and after its ending, it only makes sense that a street-level story follows.
Rachel Cole is a much better fit for Sadie Sink, given where Tom Holland’s Peter Parker is and the tone the next Spider-Man movie seems to be going for. No Way Home ended with Spider-Man going back to basics, so having him potentially get entangled with the Punisher’s partner amid a street-level crime saga would be perfect for Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
