When Tiger Shroff donned the cape to become a superhero in the largely forgettable 2016 film “A Flying Jatt,” much was said and written about the movie. Fans were intrigued by Tiger and Jacqueline Fernandez’s new pairing, and the film’s unusual concept of a middle-class superhero captured some attention. However, what truly piqued the curiosity of audiences was the film’s towering villain – a 6’10”, 135-kg behemoth known as Nathan Jones. But who exactly is Nathan Jones, and how did he transition from a life of crime to the silver screen?
Nathan Jones was born in Australia in the late 1960s, and his journey to stardom is nothing short of extraordinary. Before becoming an actor, Nathan’s life was riddled with crime and violence. As a teenager, he got entangled in a series of armed robberies, committing eight such crimes across Australia between 1985-87. By 1987, at the age of 21, Nathan had become one of Australia’s most wanted criminals, resulting in a 16-year prison sentence. He served seven years in a maximum-security prison before being released in 1994, marking a pivotal turn in his life.
It was during his time behind bars that Nathan Jones discovered powerlifting, a sport that would set the tone for his future. He began competing in powerlifting events, quickly becoming the powerlifting champion of Australia. His physical prowess also saw him participating in strongman competitions, including the World’s Strongest Man contests in 1995-96. Although he attempted a brief stint in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Jones eventually found his calling in professional wrestling. From 2002-03, Nathan Jones competed in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), where he became allies with wrestling legends like The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar.
Nathan Jones decided to pursue acting full-time after his wrestling career came to an end in 2004. However, his journey into acting had started even earlier, with a one-off role in the 1996 film “First Strike” starring Jackie Chan. It was in Hollywood that Nathan’s imposing figure and commanding screen presence made him perfect for roles of villains and formidable characters.
Jones’ big break in acting came in 2004 when he landed the role of Boagrius, a colossal warrior who faces off against Brad Pitt’s Achilles in the epic film “Troy”. This debut set the trajectory for a career filled with performances in similarly intense roles. Over the next several years, Nathan worked with numerous international stars. He appeared opposite Tony Jaa in “Tom-Yum-Goong” (also known as “The Protector”), battled Jet Li in “Fearless”, and co-starred with Jason Momoa in “Conan The Barbarian”.
Nathan’s stature and acting talents saw him continue to land significant roles. Perhaps one of his most notable recent performances was as Rictus Erectus in the 2015 blockbuster “Mad Max: Fury Road”. This role gained him a lot of recognition and he is set to reprise it in the upcoming spinoff movie “Furiosa” later this year.
Not limited to Hollywood, Nathan Jones also made significant strides in Bollywood and regional Indian cinema. He marked his debut in Tamil cinema as a villain in the 2015 film “Bhooloham,” which starred Jayam Ravi and Trisha Krishnan. In 2016, Nathan expanded his reach in Indian cinema by teaming up with Tiger Shroff in “A Flying Jatt”. In this role, he once again played a villain, capturing the audience’s attention with his sheer physical presence and acting skills.
Nathan Jones’ versatility as an actor continues to see him taking on roles across a variety of film industries. He is set to make his debut in Kannada cinema soon, starring in the highly anticipated film “Martin,” alongside Dhruva Sarja. Scheduled for a November release, this film promises yet another compelling performance from this extraordinary figure.
As Nathan Jones continues to expand his repertoire in films globally, his story is a testament to the possibility of transformation and redemption. From being one of Australia’s most wanted criminals to becoming a celebrated actor, Nathan’s journey is nothing short of inspirational. His giant leap from a turbulent past to a promising future in acting highlights a journey that few have the resilience and determination to achieve.
