'We're immense fans of Bond': Russo brothers reveal inspiration behind Amazon spy series 'Citadel'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The premiere of 'Citadel', an ambitious Prime Video series created by 'Avengers: Endgame' filmmakers Joe and Anthony Russo, is just a few weeks away. Fans have already been intrigued by the series, which stars Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden, thanks to its initial teasers and promotional materials, which highlight the show's distinctive spy narrative.
Now the Russo brothers have revealed what to anticipate from 'Citadel' in a recent interview with Total Film magazine, saying it cleverly remixes James Bond franchise tropes. Debuting on April 28, the series also stars Lesley Manville, Osy Ikhile along with Ashleigh Cummings
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'We loved Bond growing up'
While chatting with Total Film Magazine, the brothers explained their inspiration behind directing the new spy series. "It's an accurate way to talk about it, without question," Joe Russo explained. "I mean, we loved Bond growing up."
"We're immense fans of Bond, but our job is to try to take what we love about these sorts of genres and films that have influenced us and figure out ways to push them into spaces and places that surprise us..." Anthony Russo added. "Our job as storytellers isn't to bring you another version of Bond. Our job as storytellers is to bring you a fresh experience that you are excited and surprised by. So hopefully we hit that mark. We'll see. We certainly do think of it as a spy-verse," said Anthony, adding, "That's the approach we took with it."
What is 'Citadel' about?
The series 'Citadel' sees spy agency Citadel fall a decade before. Agents of Manticore, a sizable syndicate that subtly controls the world, destroyed the independent global espionage agency in charge of maintaining everyone's safety and security. Elite agents Mason Kane (Richard Madden) and Nadia Sinh (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), who were spared death with Citadel's fall, had their memories erased. Since then, they have gone unnoticed while creating new identities and new lives.
Up until one night, when Bernard Orlick (Stanley Tucci), a former colleague at the Citadel, locates Mason and asks for his assistance in stopping Manticore from establishing a new global order. Mason tracks down Nadia, his former partner, and the two spies set out on a mission that takes them all over the globe in an effort to halt Manticore, all the while navigating a relationship based on lies, secrets, and a dangerous yet enduring love.
'Citadel' premieres on Amazon Prime on April 28, 2023.