IGN has exclusively unveiled a fresh behind-the-scenes look at how Sadie Sink transformed into Jean Grey for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, offering fans a first intimate glimpse into the making of the film’s most talked-about casting decision. The clip, drawn from the movie’s home video bonus features, arrives ahead of the film’s digital release on October 6 and its 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD launch on December 15.
In the newly released feature, Sink discusses taking on the mantle of the iconic X-Men character Jean Grey in what is now the highest-grossing film of all time at the North American box office. She is joined in the clip by Spider-Man star Tom Holland, director Destin Daniel Cretton, costume designer Sanja Milkovic Hays, and choreographer Nathan Kim, as the group dissects the function Jean plays within the film’s larger narrative.
Bringing Jean Grey to Life
The behind-the-scenes feature delves into the practical craft behind Sink’s performance, with the costume and choreography teams explaining how they helped realize the character’s powerful mental abilities on screen. Sink, best known to global audiences for her role as Max “Nancy” Mayfield in Netflix’s Stranger Things, steps into a Marvel Cinematic Universe role that bridges her established fanbase with the wider superhero mythology.
Sadie Sink as Jean Grey in Spider-Man: Brand New Day represents a bold new chapter for the franchise, and seeing the cast and crew come together to build this character from the ground up was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.
Sadie Sink
The conversation brings together the film’s key creative voices, including costume designer Sanja Milkovic Hays and choreographer Nathan Kim, whose combined efforts shaped both the visual identity and physicality of Jean Grey. Their discussion underscores the collaborative nature of bringing a comic-book character into live action, where practical performance and meticulous design must work in tandem.
A Theatrical Re-Release on the Horizon
In a separate development, Sony Pictures has announced plans to re-release Spider-Man: Brand New Day in theaters with additional footage that includes Rosario Dawson’s deleted cameo as Claire Temple. The re-release is expected to introduce new material to audiences who already flocked to the film, extending its theatrical run and rewarding longtime fans with previously unseen content.
The addition of Dawson’s Claire Temple—a character long associated with the Netflix Marvel series—signals a potential bridge between the streaming continuity and the broader cinematic universe, further expanding the interconnected world the franchise has built.
The Road to Marvel’s X-Men
Sink’s turn as Jean Grey is far from over. She will reprise her role in Marvel’s X-Men, joining a cast that includes Inde Navarrette as Rogue, Adam Driver as Mister Sinister, Maya Boyd as Storm, Christopher Abbott as Professor X, Kit Connor as Cyclops, Samara Weaving as Emma Frost, and Asa Germann as Angel. The highly anticipated film will be directed by Jake Schreier, marking a fresh creative direction for the mutant franchise.
The assembled cast represents a striking mix of acclaimed dramatic talent and rising stars, positioning the film as one of the most eagerly awaited entries in the MCU’s next phase. Sink’s transition from Spider-Man spinoff to X-Men centerpiece highlights her growing centrality to the studio’s long-term plans.
Home Release Special Features
Fans eager to explore the film further can pre-order Spider-Man: Brand New Day today, gaining access to an extensive array of home release extras. The 4K UHD, Blu-ray and digital editions feature a robust lineup of featurettes, including Tom Holland’s reflection on his evolving roles, Destin Daniel Cretton’s creative process for a more mature Spider-Man, and a deep dive into the hidden references and “Spider Eggs” scattered throughout the film.
Additional features explore the practical stunt work led by world-renowned stunt coordinator Peng Zhang, the costume department’s reinvention of the beloved Spider-Suit, and a look at the on-set chemistry between Tom Holland and Jon Bernthal as Spider-Man and the Punisher. An ensemble featurette brings together Zendaya, Sink, Mark Ruffalo and Jacob Batalon to recount the joyous process of shooting with an all-star cast.
The DVD edition offers a more condensed selection of the same featurettes, ensuring that fans at every level can access the behind-the-scenes content. With the digital release just weeks away and the physical formats arriving in December, there has never been a better time to revisit the film and uncover the craft behind its success.
Looking Ahead
With the home release approaching and a theatrical re-release already in the works, Spider-Man: Brand New Day shows no signs of losing momentum. As Sink prepares to return as Jean Grey in Marvel’s X-Men, audiences will be watching closely to see how the character—and the actor—evolve across the franchise’s next chapters.
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