Priyanka Chopra Jonas is having a blossoming spring of 2023. She’s co-starring in a big action series from Amazon studios, is about to shoot a new feature film, and stars in a romantic comedy that marks the film debut of a certain Celine Dion. .
In a virtual interview, the actress discusses with great enthusiasm – and emotion – Citadel, a thriller in which Richard Madden (Game of Thrones, Bodyguard) and camp two spies who try to recover their memory to stop a powerful corporation who wishes to destabilize the world order.
Amazon has pulled out all the stops to promote this upcoming new franchise, which hits Prime Video on Friday.
With an estimated budget of 400 million Canadian according to The Hollywood Reporter, the first season recently had its world premiere in Bombay (Mumbai), India, the native country of Priyanka Jonas. The actress talks about a “very special” evening, as she reunited with former colleagues and members of an industry in which she was deployed for several years before she landed the leading role in 2015 in Quantico, a hit ABC network series, and that she began her breakthrough in the United States by starring in feature films such as The Matrix Resurrections and Baywatch.
“The room was filled with people who knew me when I was 20. I was very proud that they saw me in such a big series. It was amazing! Richard [Madden] and I went through something personal. We held hands throughout the screening. It was really beautiful. »
Citadel holds significant significance to Priyanka Chopra Jonas for another reason: She’s never been granted the same cachet as a male partner before. A first after 60 films and 23 years of career.
The actress, who has 87 million subscribers on Instagram, thanks her agents for their initiative. “When they told me they were going to raise the point in negotiation, I was like, ‘OK… You can try…’ And when they called me to tell me that they were successful, my husband [ actor and singer Nick Jonas] brought out the champagne. He said it was historic. On the one hand, it’s true, it’s extraordinary. But on the other hand, I find it sad. Why does it take women so many years and so much effort to get what they deserve? Especially when they do the exact same job. And it’s not just in our industry. It’s widespread…”
This adventure prompted Priyanka Chopra Jonas to think about the gender pay gap and, above all, how to eradicate it. “The person in charge of Amazon Studios is Jennifer Salke, female. Did it make the difference? Is having women in positions of power a game-changer for other women? I think so. It changed things for me, at least. »
Priyanka Chopra Jonas is right to point out that she struggled as much as Richard Madden did on Citadel. She trained for months to shoot her action scenes, which spice up every episode.
The actress calls the job “difficult,” a comment that prompted Joe Russo, who produces the show with his brother Anthony Russo, to call the actress “humble.”
“Priyanka is up for any stunt and any fight scene. I call it the female Tom Cruise. I’ve only come across a handful of actors who commit like she did. And she did a great job. The result is convincing. »
This statement by Joe Russo should be taken seriously. After all, the American knows a thing or two about stunts, having done several Marvel blockbusters, including Avengers: Endgame.
The principal concerned prefers to salute the “genius” of the Citadel stuntmen and the “safe” environment they have created.
“There’s a scene where I was like, ‘Oh! My character should be in shorts and a t-shirt!” But I hadn’t thought at the time of filming that I wasn’t going to be able to wear knee pads and all the usual protection, and I was like, ‘Oh no! It was such a bad idea!” Needless to say I was covered in bruises the next day…”
Priyanka Chopra Jonas has never been covered in bruises the day after a day of filming on Love Again (To love again), a romantic comedy in which she gives the reply to Sam Heughan (Outlander). Nevertheless, the experience proved to be unforgettable as it marked the big screen debut of Celine Dion, a singer she had admired for a long time.
In this film adaptation of a novel by German writer Sofie Cramer directed by Jim C. Strouse (Grace Is Gone), the queen of Las Vegas plays herself and a matchmaker.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas found Charlemagne’s diva “funny and charismatic”. Knowing that she is “going through a tumultuous time”, the actress also sends “all [her] support” to the international artist, who has just launched a new song attached to the feature film.
After the release of Love Again, expected in theaters on Friday, May 5, Priyanka Chopra Jonas will begin filming Heads of State, a feature film by director Ilya Naishuller (Nobody) starring Idris Alba and John Cena.
She should eventually reconnect with the Citadel universe, since Amazon is preparing to order a second season, reports Deadline. Such an announcement would please Joe Russo. “It’s great to feel that support, especially for a show that celebrates diversity and features a strong female character who kicks ass!” »