Avengers director Joe Russo has said Priyanka Chopra Jonas had a tougher job than any of the Marvel actors while filming for their new Amazon Prime series, Citadel.
In an interview with Who, Russo said the role was physically demanding and Priyanka had little help from stunt doubles.
WATCH: Priyanka Chopra and Joe Russo talk about Priyanka’s physically demanding stunt work on Citadel
“The physical work she did on this show, for the amount of time she had to do it… It was the toughest we’ve ever put any actor through,” Russo said.
“You do carry a lot of the physicality of season one, and it’s the hardest job I think we’ve asked of any actor we’ve worked with.”
Russo even compared Chopra Jonas’ work with that of the actors of the Marvel franchise, in which Russo directed Avengers: Endgame, Avengers: Infinity War and two of the Captain America films.
“Even when we’re doing the Marvel movies, like when Iron Man puts on that helmet, [actor, Robert Downey Jr] is out. CGI takes over. When Chris Evans puts on the [Captain America skull cap] a stuntman takes over. So, there was no rest for her,” he said of Priyanka.
Chopra Jonas recently revealed she now has a scar on her forehead thanks to her Citadel stunt work.
“Our characters are not superheroes,” she added to Russo’s comments.
“We’re human, our characters bleed, we get hurt. We don’t have superpowers. So, it was important for the viewer to believe that by seeing my face, by seeing our faces. And it was important to me too.”
Priyanka Chopra Jonas is leading the latest Amazon Prime blockbuster, Citadel, alongside Game Of Thrones and Bodyguard actor, Richard Madden.
The action-packed six-episode series follows two elite spies Mason Kane (Madden) and Nadia Sinh (Chopra Jonas) as they fight an emerging global power – while also navigating a complicated, enduring attraction to each other. There are excellent fight scenes, tonnes of intrigue and – of course – sizzling chemistry between the two leads.
“We actually get along as people,” Chopra Jonas said of creating that on-screen rapport with Madden. “But, you know, I think as actors it becomes part of your job to create chemistry with whoever you’re cast with. It always helps if you get along with the person which I think in this case, it did.”
WATCH: Priyanka Chopra on creating on-screen chemistry with co-star Richard Madden (article continues after video)
The Quantico star also praised her co-star’s work ethic.
“I also have tremendous respect for Richard. He really cares about the job. He really cares about his work. When he comes to set he’s very, very prepared. And I’m like that; I have a tremendous work ethic and I love to be prepared when I come in. So, when you’re ‘dancing with someone’ who knows their job and who comes in with all the knowledge, then you know you’re not playing catch-up and I think that shows in what you’re watching,” she shared.
“We had each other’s back. We, you know, held each other through and protected each other’s characters. And through that, we became really good friends. So, I think that’s what you’re seeing.”
Read: Priyanka Chopra Jonas stars in new rom-com with Outlander star and Celine Dion
The first season of Citadel introduces an ambitious global project, with each series following a new cast and location as part of an interconnected plot.
Each season will be produced and filmed in its respective region, starring top local talent. There are already subsequent seasons underway in India and Italy. The former is set to star two of India’s highest paid actors, Varun Dhawan Samantha Ruth Prabhu, while the Italian season will star actress and singer Matilda De Angelis.
Season one of Citadel also includes big names Stanley Tucci and Lesley Manville to the cast.
The series will premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime on Friday, April 28.
Two episodes will be included in the first drop, followed by weekly episodes released every Friday for the remaining weeks.
Watch the trailer for Citadel:
