Imagine spending $300 million on six hours of TV—only to watch your Avengers-style spy epic collapse under its own weight. That's Citadel in a nutshell: a show so expensive it makes Game of Thrones look like a student film, yet somehow still feels like a rough draft. Now, with Season 2 pushed to 2026 and spinoffs frozen, Amazon's “next big thing” is bleeding out faster than an extra in a John Wick movie.
The $300M Question: What Went Wrong?
Let's rewind. Citadel was supposed to be Amazon's golden goose—a globetrotting spy saga with Richard Madden as the anchor, backed by Avengers: Endgame directors the Russo brothers. Instead, it became a case study in creative chaos:
- Reshoot Roulette: Season 1's budget ballooned after massive reshoots, with showrunner Josh Appelbaum exiting mid-production. (Pro tip: If your cinematographer from Drive is salvaging your spy thriller, you're in trouble.)
- Season 2's “Unhappy” Backers: THR reports Amazon MGM is “unhappy with what they've seen” of the new season. Translation: It's another expensive mess.
- The Bond Factor: Amazon now owns 007. Why pour cash into Citadel when you've got the real thing?
Spinoffs: Too Little, Too Late?
The Citadel universe already spawned two spinoffs (Diana in Italy, Honey Bunny in India)—both modest hits, but hardly franchise fuel. With future spinoffs on ice, the Spyverse looks less like Marvel and more like Dark Universe 2.0.
The Verdict: A Franchise on Life Support
Citadel isn't just delayed—it's gasping for air. Between creative turmoil, Bond's shadow, and audience indifference (reviews were polarized, to put it kindly), Amazon might pull the plug before 2026. As one insider mused: “It's hard to sell ‘Avengers for spies' when even the Russos can't make it click.”
Citadel could've been revolutionary. Instead? It's a cautionary tale—proof that no amount of money can buy chemistry.
