Spider-Man: Brand New Day: How Sadie Sink's Character Will Change the MCU Forever

In the MCU, a universe that has produced 36 films, individuals with extraordinary abilities have consistently aided ordinary people. Despite facing threats from villains like Thanos and Loki, MCU citizens have witnessed the Avengers repeatedly save the universe. The public has even celebrated these powerful beings through events like AvengerCon (seen in *Ms. Marvel*) and *Rogers: The Musical* (featured in *Hawkeye*).

So, what sets mutants apart? Why would one admire Thor yet fear Storm?

*Brand New Day* offers an explanation. As an impulsive teenager, Jean is relentless in her pursuit of her sister, Sara. She readily manipulates anyone she encounters, even treating strangers as mere tools. Consider the young man Peter speaks to after the initial failed test of the suppressor. From what is shown, this individual posed no threat to Jean or Sara. Yet, Jean took control of his body, used him to menace Peter, and allowed him to become ensnared in Spider-Man's webs.

The climax, featuring Jean's psychic assault, amplifies this fear. Hundreds of individuals, uninvolved with Damage Control or its actions, are trapped in a suspended, conscious state of terror, as indicated by the tears on MJ's face. To its credit, *Brand New Day* director Destin Daniel Cretton focuses on the ordinary New Yorkers in a way not seen since Sam Raimi's *Spider-Man* films. The camera lingers on the faces of the frozen populace, even before Punisher guides us through them, revealing the common people's reactions to this invasion of their lives. This attention to the average person makes Jean's attack feel more immediate than even the climax of *Loki*, where the Void annihilated citizens, albeit while hovering above them.

In *Brand New Day*, we witness why the MCU's populace views mutants as strange, different, and terrifying.

Mutants Among Us

Undoubtedly, making Jean Grey a central character in a Spider-Man film will irk some. While there's a case to be made for letting Spidey take the spotlight and allowing Jean to coexist with characters like Cyclops, Beast, Iceman, and Angel, this approach effectively builds the mystique of mutants. Spider-Man doesn't perceive Jean and Sara as harbingers of an evolutionary leap. He simply sees them as two girls who possess powers.