The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Spider-Man films have done an incredible job of reimagining classic villains for the big screen. From Vulture and Mysterio to the multiversal chaos of ‘No Way Home’, we’ve seen Peter Parker take on some of the most iconic and accurate villains.
However, a new rumor suggests that ‘Spider-Man 4’ will take a different approach. The fourth installment of the Spider-Man franchise might introduce a female villain for the first time in the MCU.
The Female Villain Has Reportedly Already Been Cast And It’s Not Sadie Sink
According to insider, MTTSH, Tom Holland’s Peter Parker will face off against a female antagonist in the highly anticipated sequel. Additionally, the role has reportedly already been cast. However, it won’t be played by Sadie Sink, despite previous speculation. Sink, best known for her role as Max in ‘Stranger Things’, is instead rumored to be portraying a new version of Mary Jane Watson.
Related: Why Tom Holland’s Spider-Man Will Never Appear In Live-Action Disney+ Shows
Previously reports revealed that Zendaya will not have a huge role in the film due to scheduling conflicts. As we all know she is Tom Holland’s Peter Parker’s MJ. However, her MJ is very different from the other versions we’ve seen. So, Sink’s MJ might be the classic red-headed MJ we all know.
Moreover, if Sadie Sink is indeed playing MJ, it suggests a shift in Peter’s personal life. More intriguingly, Sony’s contract with Marvel reportedly requires each Spider-Man film to feature a major MCU character. This raises the question: Could the female villain be someone outside of Spider-Man’s usual roster?
Regardless of who the villain is, ‘Spider-Man 4’ is already generating massive hype. Unfortunately, the film was recently pushed back from its original release date of July 24, 2026, to July 31, 2026. While that’s only a one-week delay, it suggests that Marvel and Sony are in a bit of a development crisis.
Who Could Be ‘Spider-Man 4’s Mysterious Female Villain?
Among the most likely candidates for a female ‘Spider-Man 4’ villain is Felicia Hardy, aka Black Cat. A fan-favorite from the comics, Felicia is a skilled thief with a complicated relationship with Spider-Man. She is a mix of both good and bad and is sometimes an ally and sometimes an adversary.
In case you missed it: Sadie Sink Confirmed To Join ‘Spider-Man 4’ Cast In A Game-Changing Role
Additionally, her introduction has been teased for years, and with Sony’s ‘Madame Web‘ and ‘Venom‘ franchises expanding, it makes sense to finally bring her into the MCU. Another possibility is Silver Sable. While she’s often portrayed as more of an anti-hero, she has been known to clash with Spider-Man.
Her appearance could also tie into the wider MCU, perhaps connecting to the rumored street-level storyline featuring Daredevil, Kingpin, and The Punisher. For those hoping for a deeper cut, Delilah could be an interesting choice. A lesser-known villain, Delilah is a powerful assassin who has battled both Spider-Man and Black Cat in the comics.
While not as recognizable as some other names, she could be reinvented as a formidable new foe for Holland’s Spidey. There’s also Screwball, a modern villain who uses social media and viral stunts to challenge Spider-Man. Given how much technology plays a role in Holland’s Spidey movies, she could fit well into the MCU’s current themes.
While details about who this new villain could be remain scarce, one thing is clear, ‘Spider-Man 4’ will be a major chapter in the MCU. If the rumors are true, fans can expect to see the film be very different from what they’ve seen before.
