Yash Raj Films’ star-studded Spy Universe is hitting the brakes. Peepingmoon.com has exclusively learned that Aditya Chopra is temporarily pausing the development of new films in the franchise to reassess and revamp the cinematic universe's creative direction.
“Aditya Chopra believes the Spy Universe films are veering toward repetition and need a revitalized approach to storytelling and presentation. So he is now reevaluating its roadmap and making significant changes to future plans, including the cancellation of Tiger vs. Pathaan,” a source close to the development told us. The much-anticipated ‘Tiger vs. Pathaan’ was slated to pit Salman Khan’s iconic Tiger against Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan in a cinematic showdown intended as the franchise’s grand finale. However, the project has now been shelved indefinitely, marking a pivotal shift in YRF’s strategy.
Notably, YRF hasn't greenlighted any new film within the Spy Universe following ‘War 2’ and ‘Alpha,’ which are scheduled to release in cinemas on August 14 and December 25, respectively. SRK and Deepika Padukone’s ‘Pathaan 2’ remains the only project in active development, though even that film is expected to face delays, as Chopra is still mapping out the next phase of the Spy Universe. “Nothing is moving forward until he has a clearer vision," says the source, adding that a film on the backstory of Jim, the character of John Abraham in Pathaan, has also been cancelled now.
YRF is also considering introducing a new generation of spies to reinvigorate the franchise. They have even approached Vicky Kaushal to headline a standalone spy film, but discussions are at a very early stage at this moment. The company is reportedly looking at how Alpha— their first female-led spy film, starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari in lead roles— performs at the box office before deciding on whether to expand the universe with younger leads.
Furthermore, Salman’s Tiger series, a cornerstone of the Spy Universe, also faces an uncertain future. Following the underwhelming box office performance of Tiger 3 in 2023, YRF has no immediate plans for a fourth installment. “While Aditya remains committed to continuing Tiger’s story, the idea is to allow a significant gap before revisiting the character to ensure a compelling narrative,” the source further added.
Chopra’s decision to slow down the Spy Universe coincides with his renewed focus on other high-profile projects. YRF is now rebooting its beloved action franchise ‘Dhoom’ with its next installment, ‘Dhoom 4,’ starring Ranbir Kapoor in the lead and Ayan Mukherji directing. The film is currently in the preparation stage and will go on floors in April 2026. YRF is also developing an original action entertainer with Ali Abbas Zafar, alongside several mid-budget projects slated for production next year.