Russos Take Heat For Amazon Exec’s Exit: Feige Avengers Rumor True?

Russos Take Heat For Amazon Exec’s Exit: Feige Avengers Rumor True?

Some interesting developments have come out of the recent departure of Amazon executive Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon MGM Studios, which may involve the Russo brothers, and possibly even Kevin Feige.

Jennifer Salke fired

Thursday saw the bomb drop that Jennifer Salke had exited Amazon, with it later claimed she was fired. A report surfaced suggesting Salke was fired because of James Bond, Rings of Power, and potentially Christopher Nolan.

'Citadel' Trailer From The Russo Bros. Stars Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra

Citadel to blame?

Now, a new report suggests Citadel might also be to blame. The series was produced by Joe and Anthony Russo, with Joe also directing an episode. The six-episode first season had a massive $300 million budget — roughly $50 million per episode — making it one of the most expensive TV shows ever made. The problem? The viewership doesn’t justify the price tag. It also doesn’t help that Citadel hasn’t been well received by critics, with a 51% score on Rotten Tomatoes and just a 62% audience score.

Citadel faces uncertain future

As a result of Salke’s departure from Amazon, Citadel now faces an uncertain future, according to Deadline. While Season 2 is currently in the works, the two international spinoffs are still waiting on renewal decisions. The report also notes that plans for additional spinoffs — including one set in Mexico — have been put on hold, with the focus now shifted to completing the main show’s second season. Deadline further suggests that Citadel Season 3 will face major hurdles when it comes up for renewal, especially without Salke as the head of the studio.

Update: The two spinoffs have been canceled. Season 2 is confirmed to premiere globally in Q2 of 2026.

kevin feige avengers doomsday comic con russos 1

What does this have to do with Kevin Feige?

Feige concerned

Well, it’s a similar tale to the recent rumor that Kevin Feige is now concerned about the Russos brothers directing Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars.

Russos Latest Movie Again Destroyed By Rotten Tomatoes

The Electric State flops

In a similar situation, the Russos’ new Netflix movie, The Electric State, which came with an exorbitant $275 million budget, also seems to have flopped. The film didn’t get nearly as many views as the Russos’ previous films they were involved with, including The Extraction movies and The Gray Man.

The Electric State is also getting crushed by the critics with a 16% Rotten Tomatoes Score, with the fan score lukewarm at 70%.

avengers doomsday production

Feige Steps In?

According to recent rumors, following The Electric State underperforming, Kevin Feige is so concerned with the Russo brothers directing Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars – both with mammoth budgets – that Feige has decided to step in to closely oversee the process, including the script, to ensure the films turn out as strong as possible.

Worth a mention is that Jeff Sneider also said the script isn’t even finished, with it sounding like they will finish it on the fly, known as the “Marvel way.”

About Matt McGloin

Matt McGloin is the editor-in-chief and publisher of Cosmic Book News, the independent entertainment news site he founded in 2008. He covers movies, comics, TV, video games and pop culture and has reported major industry scoops over the years, including revealing the Avengers: Endgame title ahead of its official announcement. Through Cosmic Book News, he helped Marvel Comics promote Guardians of the Galaxy and Nova through exclusive previews, artwork, and interviews, with the site also quoted in solicitations and on comic covers. He also reported on Marvel’s Daredevil: Born Again retooling before it was later confirmed by the trades.

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