Spider-Man: Brand New Day writers Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers have explained how they approached Jean Grey’s introduction to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including why the future X-Men hero needed to be presented as a serious threat to Peter Parker.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the writers discussed Jean’s role in the movie and the difficult balance between making her dangerous while keeping her sympathetic enough for her eventual redemption. Jean, played by Sadie Sink, is ultimately revealed to be searching for her sister Sara Grey, whose psychic abilities are being exploited by Damage Control.
Jean Grey Was Designed to Feel Dangerous
Jean causes significant physical and emotional damage throughout the movie, including taking control of other people’s bodies and forcing them to act according to her wishes. However, Sommers clarified that the filmmakers did not intend for Jean to actually kill anyone.
“I think technically, she’s not responsible for any deaths,”
Sommers told The Hollywood Reporter. He acknowledged that audiences are still left with the impression that Jean has caused substantial destruction, explaining that this was important for establishing her as a credible threat.
“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,”
Sommers said.
The approach allows Brand New Day to introduce Jean as an antagonist without completely defining her by her actions. Her motivations ultimately stem from her attempts to find Sara, rather than a desire to hurt Peter Parker or innocent people.
McKenna also explained that the writers deliberately kept Jean’s identity and motivations hidden from the audience for much of the movie.
“We were in Peter’s shoes,”
he said, explaining that the story was designed so viewers would discover information alongside Spider-Man rather than knowing more than him.
The writers also confirmed that Jean’s storyline connects directly to Sara’s captivity by Damage Control. McKenna said the concept developed around Sara attempting to communicate telepathically with her sister, creating the foundation for Jean’s search.
The filmmakers’ decision to make Jean formidable could prove important for the MCU’s future X-Men storyline. Rather than introducing her immediately as a conventional hero, Brand New Day establishes the character through conflict before setting up the possibility of her eventual transformation.
