Pathaan wasn’t just one of 2023’s biggest blockbusters-it was also Shah Rukh Khan’s grand return to the big screen after a five-year hiatus. But amidst all the high-octane action and star power, one character stood out: Jim, played by John Abraham. As the ruthless yet undeniably cool antagonist, Jim became an instant fan favourite, sparking endless speculation about his backstory.
Now, John Abraham has reignited excitement by teasing a possible Pathaan prequel. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the actor revealed, “I think he (Adi) gets me right, and hopefully we’ll be doing a prequel to Jim before he goes bitter. So that should be happening.”
For fans who have long demanded a solo film on Jim, this was the ultimate confirmation they had been waiting for. Social media erupted with reactions:
“Petition to make an individual prequel to John’s character Jim!”
“A film on John’s character should be made.”
“We want to see Jim and Kabir together!”
“Yes, yes, yesssss!!! We need that!!!!”
John Abraham’s collaboration with Aditya Chopra has resulted in some memorable films over the years, including Dhoom (2004), New York (2009), and Kabul Express (2006). However, the actor made it clear that he isn’t interested in signing on to big franchises unless the story excites him. With Jim, it seems he has found a character that truly resonates with him.
While Pathaan catapulted Shah Rukh Khan back into action-hero mode, his 2023 lineup also included Jawan, a massy entertainer by Atlee, and Dunki, a Rajkumar Hirani film that received mixed reviews. Meanwhile, John Abraham was last seen in Vedaa, an action-drama directed by Nikkhil Advani, co-starring Sharvari Wagh.
Up next, Abraham is gearing up for The Diplomat, a political thriller based on a real-life Indian diplomat. Featuring a stellar supporting cast-including Sadia Khateeb, Revathy, Kumud Mishra, and Sharib Hashmi-the film is directed by Shivam Nair and is slated for release on 7 March 2025.
With a Pathaan prequel seemingly on the horizon, the YRF Spy Universe just got even more exciting. The only question now is-when do we get to see Jim’s origin story unfold on the big screen?