Prime Video bets on 'Citadel' sequel despite original's huge flop
Half the world has heard about Prime Video's "Citadel." The series garnered attention not only for its immense production costs but also for being one of the most expensive series in the world. Ultimately, it ended in a flop. But the story doesn't stop there.
6:38 PM EDT, July 18, 2024
A year ago, Prime Video announced that "Citadel" was the most expensive production in the history of its streaming platform. The budget reached $185 million, or $30 million per episode. However, the media reported different, substantially higher figures. Journalists from "The Hollywood Reporter" discovered that "Citadel" cost over $200 million due to additional reshoots. The production of "Rings of Power" by the same platform was theoretically more expensive at $465 million, but over half of that, $250 million, was spent acquiring the rights for the adaptation.
"Citadel" for the second time
Nevertheless, "Citadel" has become one of the most expensive series productions in recent decades. However, the spy series did not receive favorable press. Critics noted that while the series retained the top spot among Prime Video's most popular titles for a month, it did not achieve spectacular viewership numbers.
A critic from the "Daily Mail" implied that viewers watched it because there were no other new releases. However, looking at the statistics, it seems they struggle to get through to the end of the series. It was a pleasure to admire Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden. Still, the critic admitted being sorry for the actors they had to 'perform' in such a dull production.
Prime's production had all the elements to become a big hit: substantial funding, well-known actors, and the Russo brothers behind the camera. Yet, American media still point out, "and still, no one watched it." The platform, however, claimed that the series "achieved global success, becoming the second most-watched original production of Prime Video outside the United States and the fourth most-watched series in the world."
Maybe the new production will have a different fate?
Prime Video announced the premiere date and unveiled the first photos of the series "Citadel: Diana," starring Matilda De Angelis. Produced by Cattleya and Amazon MGM Studios, the Italian series is set in the "Citadel" world, with the Russo brothers' AGBO studio as executive producer. "Citadel: Diana" will debut on the Prime Video platform on October 10.
This is how Prime presents the plot of the new production: "The story is set in Milan in 2030. Eight years earlier, the spy agency Citadel was destroyed by the enemy syndicate Manticore. Diana Cavalieri, an undercover agent, is now trapped behind enemy lines as a mole within Manticore. She finds a potential escape, but it requires trusting Edo Zani, the heir of Manticore Italy. Edo Zani is the son of Ettore Zani, who is competing for leadership against other European families."
