Spider-Man: Brand New Day Writer Argues Whether Jean Grey Killed Civilians Amid Heated Debate

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has brought one of the strongest characters into the franchise as of this summer.

Phase 6 started in July 2025 with The Fantastic Four: First Steps, but the slate for the ongoing chapter is nearing its end sooner rather than later, with only a handful of movies and TV shows left in The Multiverse Saga before its end in 2027. While Spider-Man has ended his hiatus, his return also paved the way for a massive Marvel icon.

In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Spider-Man: Brand New Day co-writers Erik Sommers and Chris McKenna opened up about Jean Grey's actions in the summer blockbuster, which has sparked a lot of online conversation as to whether or not she killed people. Sommers began by saying, "I think technically, she’s not responsible for any deaths. But you come away with the impression, certainly, that she’s caused a lot of destruction in mayhem. Even if you’re going to have a villain who really is redeemed at the end or goes through a transformation, you have to start them off in a place where they feel formidable. If it doesn’t feel like this is going to be someone who is a challenge to our hero, physically, emotionally, mentally, then you don’t really buy it."

McKenna also chimed in with his thoughts, stating, "What we were really excited about was this villain got to be a mystery for so long in the movie. We were in Peter’s shoes. We were not putting the audience ahead of him, so he was reacting to everything, and we were with him reacting." Brand New Day is the fourth Spider-Man film that they penned, as they also wrote the original MCU trilogy for the web-slinger.

Following the Spider-Man: Brand New Day ending, Jean was seen leaving New York, but it was never specified where she was going next. While there are theories that she was on her way to Westchester, which is where the X Mansion is, Sadie Sink was asked in an interview with Variety and confirmed that even she doesn't know where the X-Men icon was traveling to: "Oh, I don’t really know yet, to be honest. And when I say “I don’t know,” I mean I really don’t know. [Laughs.]"

However, her story is far from over, as the Stranger Things veteran will reprise her role in the upcoming X-Men movie that is in the works at Marvel Studios. Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier will helm the reboot, which has been given a May 5, 2028 release date.

While plot details are unknown for the ensemble film, which has confirmed numerous mutants as part of the cast, it's possible X-Men will explore Jean dealing with her choices in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. However, if there is a time jump between the 2026 film and the 2028 installment, there is always the chance it is a storyline that doesn't get addressed once she is with the other mutants.

In terms of what is next for Spider-Man in the MCU timeline, Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios have not formally greenlit a sequel yet. Given Brand New Day's commercial success, another solo adventure for Holland's titular hero is more likely to happen.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is playing in theaters.