If high-stakes espionage, memory loss, and globe-trotting action are your jam, Citadel will probably have you hooked from the start. Season 1 wasn’t just a spy thriller; it was a full-blown, cinematic spectacle with Richard Madden brooding his way through secret missions and Priyanka Chopra making espionage look effortlessly stylish. Plus, let’s not forget that twisty plot: two top spies realizing they had their memories wiped? Talk about a nightmare for anyone who relies on sticky notes.
The show wasn’t just a standalone thriller either. It was designed to be the launchpad for a whole interconnected spy universe, making it one of Amazon’s biggest bets. Naturally, Season 2 had fans expecting even bigger stunts, crazier twists, and, hopefully, some answers about the mess Season 1 left us in.
But just when you thought the next mission was locked and loaded, something was up behind the scenes. Word on the street is that Citadel season 2 isn’t arriving as soon as expected. Yep, the release date has been pushed back, but don’t panic just yet. Whether it’s creative tweaks, behind-the-scenes fine-tuning, or just making sure the action looks even sleeker, the wait might be worth it.
Why is the Citadel Season 2 release date postponed?
Grab your spy goggles and hold that dramatic zoom-in because the mission that was Citadel Season 2’s release just hit a big ol’ delay button. According to a juicy new report from The Hollywood Reporter, Amazon MGM has decided to pump the brakes on the much-hyped spy series. Why, you ask?
Well, apparently, the studio is, let’s say, less than thrilled with what they’ve seen so far. Season 2 wrapped filming in November 2024, but insiders claim Amazon executives looked at the footage and went, ‘Hmm, let’s circle back.’
Yep, sources told the outlet that the higher-ups are unimpressed with the current cut, and considering the show’s sky-high budget (which has already hit “second-most-expensive-series-ever” status), that’s a major red flag. The studio had originally aimed for a Fall 2025 release, but now? Let’s just say the timeline is getting blurrier than Richard Madden’s memory in episode one.
And with Jennifer Salke, the show’s original champion at Amazon, suddenly out of the picture, fans are left wondering, is this just a detour or the beginning of the end? Either way, the espionage drama is now unfolding off-screen, too.
Citadel’s all spinoffs paused indefinitely
In the land of high-stakes espionage and even higher production budgets, the Citadel universe just hit a massive red light, and we’re not talking about a traffic signal. It turns out that Amazon MGM has officially paused all of the show’s international spinoffs, including Italy’s Diana and India’s Honey Bunny. So, if you were hoping to globe-trot through secret missions while sipping your espresso or chai, you might want to put those travel plans on hold.
Why the sudden cold feet? Well, the studio isn’t exactly thrilled with how Citadel Season 2 is shaping up. Filming wrapped in November 2024, but apparently, the footage didn’t scream “billion-dollar spy empire.” More like, “Let’s sleep on this.” Add that to the fact that this franchise is bleeding cash faster than a villain in a high-speed shootout. The total cost is rumored to have hit a jaw-dropping $500 million, and, well, the accountants are probably sweating bullets.
To make things even messier, the one person who championed this whole spy-universe extravaganza, Amazon’s Jennifer Salke, has exited stage left. With no spinoffs moving forward until Season 2 proves itself, it looks like Citadel’s universe is officially classified.
How much does Citadel cost Amazon?
Okay, grab your calculators and maybe a stress ball because Citadel didn’t just burn a hole in Amazon’s pocket; it practically detonated a spy-budget bomb. According to Matthew Belloni’s scoop in his Puck newsletter, the espionage extravaganza has cost Amazon a jaw-dropping $500 million. Yep, that’s half a billion dollars. For context, that’s like producing several seasons of Stranger Things or, I don’t know, buying a small country.
The flagship show alone reportedly gobbled up $250 million, thanks to a behind-the-scenes mess that included two dueling edits and creative chaos between the Russo Brothers and showrunners Josh Appelbaum and Bryan Oh. Then came season 2 and those globe-hopping spinoffs (Citadel: Diana and Citadel: Honey Bunny), which helped push the grand total into full-blown Bond movie territory.
All of this was greenlit by Jennifer Salke, Amazon’s now-ex-studio boss, who clearly believed Citadel could be their international franchise flex. But with Salke’s sudden exit and Season 2 in limbo, it’s safe to say Amazon might be wondering if they got an elite spy series or just the world’s most expensive identity crisis. Either way, that budget is not classified anymore.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
