As a seasoned cinephile with a penchant for international cinema, I can hardly contain my excitement about Prime Video’s ambitious expansion of their “Citadel” series. Having traversed the rich cinematic landscapes of Italy and India, I find it utterly captivating to witness such a grand collaboration between creative minds from different corners of the globe.
The creators of the “Citadel” series on Amazon Prime Video are sharing fresh perspectives about their expansive plan for an international adaptation of the show.
The first season of “Citadel,” starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas alongside Stanley Tucci and Lesley Manville, became Prime Video’s second most-watched new original series outside the U.S., and fourth most-watched worldwide. Executive produced by the Russo Brothers’ AGBO, the series follows spy agency Citadel and its powerful enemy syndicate, Manticore.
Originating from Alessandro Fabbri and executive producer Gina Gardini, the Italian spinoff “Citadel: Diana” is set in Milan, 2030, following the destruction of Citadel by Manticore. Since that fateful day, Diana Cavalieri (Matilda De Angelis), a secret Citadel operative, has been isolated and hidden among Manticore’s ranks as an informant. With a glimmer of hope for escape and the opportunity to vanish completely, her only viable option is placing trust in the unlikeliest of allies – Edo Zani (Lorenzo Cervasio), the heir of Manticore Italy and son of the Italian organization’s head, Ettore Zani (Maurizio Lombardi), who’s competing for leadership against other European families.
The Indian adaptation of “Citadel: Honey Bunny,” penned by creators Raj & DK and author Sita R. Menon, narrates the story of stuntman Bunny (played by Varun Dhawan). In the 1990s, he enlists the help of struggling actress Honey (Samantha) for a side job. As time passes, their perilous past eventually comes back to haunt them, forcing Honey and Bunny, who have grown apart, to reconnect and join forces to shield their child Nadia from imminent danger.
The executive producers, Anthony Russo and Angela Russo-Otstot, together with the show’s creator, David Weil, recently shared insights about the teamwork guiding the global growth of their espionage series in Italy and India during an interview with EbMaster.
Anthony Russo stated that this series represents an unprecedented level of collaboration unlike any other. The primary reason for choosing to produce spinoffs in Italy and India is the exceptional creative partners we found there,” said Russo. “The success of this project hinges on discovering individuals whose work we respect, with whom we share a working philosophy, and whose vision aligns with our own.
The profound film heritages of both nations significantly influenced the final choice. As Russo noted, “Each country boasts a remarkably influential cinema legacy.” Therefore, the opportunity to link with this heritage and understand how these creative minds wish to reimagine concepts from the ‘Citadel’ universe was incredibly enticing for us.
The Russos and Weil allowed their global collaborators a great deal of imaginative leeway. As Weil put it, “There were virtually no instructions or commands whatsoever.” Instead, the focus was on discovering the most genuine and relatable story, one that truly resonated with them.
Russo-Otstot stated, “It’s crucial for DK, Raj, Sita, Gina, and Alessandro to feel free to tell a story that truly reflects their artistic visions. That is the greatest achievement we can collectively accomplish. We trust that these genuine expressions will resonate so strongly that they will captivate an audience far and wide.
The blending of concepts from the spin-offs is already impacting the primary storyline. As mentioned, aspects from these side stories are being infused into “Citadel” Season 2, which is currently underway. In season 2, some characters may debut and develop initially in ‘Honey Bunny’ and ‘Diana’, and then be further explored in our series. Consequently, you can expect to see numerous elements we’ve borrowed from these series being introduced in Season 2, with the hope that they will carry over into future seasons as well.
The Indian adaptation titled “Citadel: Honey Bunny” is set in a time period 30 years ago. Raj explained that there were no specifications regarding the time setting or era; it was merely about the Nadia aspect. As a result, they chose to go back in time, opting for a retro feel, and felt that setting the story 30 years back would provide them with the opportunity to develop fresh characters.
DK stated that “Citadel” is a highly advanced technological universe, but instead of following that path, they chose to take a different route. Part of the appeal for them was embracing the retro aesthetic. In fact, although the technology in ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ was advanced for its time, it now appears extremely outdated when compared to today’s standards.
The spin-off explores motifs of fractured families and the significance of cinema within Indian society. Menon stated, “Most of our characters are essentially fractured. They hail from shattered backgrounds, fragmented families. Therefore, the lack of family is a dominant aspect for all of them, and it permeates the series as a whole.
The series also explores the significant economic transformations that took place in India during the 1990s. DK explained, “The mid-90s marked a significant shift towards economic liberalization in India. The lifestyle and resources available to people changed dramatically between 1992 and 2000. So, it wasn’t merely eight years of time difference; it was actually eight years that coincided with a crucial turning point in the economic conditions of India.
Raj and DK’s “The Family Man” action-spy series on Prime Video, with Samantha as the star in its second season, was a massive success. She expressed that it’s not common for female actors to land such roles, especially when considering high-octane action thrillers like this one. Typically, big car chases, advanced gadgets, and a male protagonist come to mind with such genres. However, she believes that this series is unique because she gets to showcase her fighting skills too, and she’s delighted to be part of a series where her role isn’t just passive but active and impactful.
“Citadel: Diana” is streaming now. “Citadel: Honey Bunny” streams from Nov. 7.
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2024-10-16 11:19