Entertainment
Russo Brothers’ Citadel: Unveiling the First-Ever ‘Global Spy Verse’
The Russo Brothers, Joe and Anthony, have never been ones to shy away from a challenge. They’ve made their mark on the film industry with their impressive resume, including the highest-grossing film of all time, Avengers: Endgame. Now, they’re taking on a new challenge with their latest project, Citadel, which they envision as the first-ever ‘Global Spy Verse.’
Citadel, a six-episode series co-produced by Amazon Studios and the Russo Brothers’ AGBO, brings together two major storytelling trends that have emerged in recent years – sprawling narrative universes and global filmmaking. The series is set to premiere on April 28, with two episodes launching on Prime Video India, and one episode releasing each week through May 26.
In a recent interview, Anthony Russo spoke about the excitement of creating a narrative universe that spans multiple regions and cultures. “We’ve all been developing a strong passion for narrative universes that have a sprawling expression to them, an interconnected years-long expression, where characters change and morph and move between different iterations,” he said. “And at the same time, we’ve seen this rise in global filmmaking and the ability of non-English language movies and shows to travel to other cultures.”
Joe Russo echoed this sentiment, noting that the digital distribution of the series allows for a wider reach and audience than ever before. “You know, we could have created a world where different regions were fashioning stories around a flagship narrative like this,” he said. “So, I think there’s something fresh and exciting about digital distribution and its reach. And I think it points towards where storytelling can go.”
Citadel follows the story of an Indian intelligence agent who must work with a British spy to prevent a terrorist attack. The series stars Richard Madden (Game of Thrones, Bodyguard) and Priyanka Chopra Jonas (Quantico, The White Tiger), among others. The show has been described as a combination of action, drama, and espionage, with a global perspective that reflects the diverse backgrounds of the cast and crew.
The series has been in development for several years, with the Russo Brothers first announcing the project in 2018. The show was initially planned to be part of a larger slate of international shows produced by Amazon, but it soon became clear that Citadel had the potential to be something special.
According to the Russo Brothers, the show is just the beginning of what they hope will become a larger ‘Global Spy Verse,’ with interconnected stories and characters that span multiple regions and cultures. “We’re just starting to scratch the surface of what we can do,” Anthony Russo said. “I think this is a great jumping-off point for the future.”
The Russo Brothers have become known for their ability to create immersive and engaging storytelling experiences, and Citadel looks to be no exception. With a talented cast, a compelling story, and a global perspective, the show has the potential to be a game-changer for the television industry. As audiences continue to demand more diverse and inclusive stories, shows like Citadel could pave the way for a new era of global storytelling.
