Citizen Kane 2: Rosebud’s Revenge
Official Trailer Breakdown:
The trailer for Citizen Kane 2: Rosebud’s Revenge opens with haunting imagery of Xanadu, now abandoned and overgrown, as a mysterious narrator recounts Charles Foster Kane’s tumultuous legacy. The tone shifts as we see a new protagonist, Amelia Kane (played by Jessica Chastain), a historian and distant relative of Kane, uncovering his secret archives. The trailer teases a darker twist to the legacy of the “Rosebud” sled, suggesting it holds clues to Kane’s forgotten vendetta against corporate moguls who betrayed him.
The trailer crescendos with a series of explosive sequences: Amelia running through the halls of a crumbling Xanadu, corporate goons chasing her, and flashbacks of a young Kane (via CGI de-aging) plotting his final move. A cryptic line delivered by Amelia—“The truth wasn’t buried with him”—ends the trailer on a chilling note.
Plot Details:
Set decades after the events of Citizen Kane, the sequel explores the aftermath of Kane’s death. Amelia discovers a secret will and manifesto hidden in the ruins of Xanadu, revealing Kane’s plans to dismantle a shadowy cabal of business elites responsible for sabotaging his media empire. Amelia teams up with investigative journalist Ethan Drake (played by Adam Driver) to unearth the conspiracy while evading threats from the same cabal. The story blends a noir aesthetic with modern-day political intrigue, showing Kane’s enduring influence and unraveling a mystery tied to the cryptic word “Rosebud.”
Cast and Crew:
- Jessica Chastain as Amelia Kane
- Adam Driver as Ethan Drake
- Mark Strong as antagonist Victor Carlton, head of the corporate cabal
- Michael Fassbender (cameo) as a young Charles Foster Kane (via CGI)
- Directed by Denis Villeneuve
- Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin
Budget and Production:
The film’s estimated budget is $150 million, largely attributed to the advanced CGI used to recreate Charles Foster Kane and the grandeur of Xanadu. Production involved shooting on location in California, with a mix of modern and period settings. The film’s ambitious visuals aim to modernize the look of Orson Welles’ original while preserving its iconic aesthetic.
Release Date:
Citizen Kane 2: Rosebud’s Revenge is set for release on May 30, 2025.
Summary Story:
Amelia Kane uncovers Charles Foster Kane’s final plan to exact vengeance on the men who conspired to destroy his legacy. As she pieces together clues, Amelia faces danger, betrayal, and shocking revelations about Kane’s true intentions and the dark meaning behind “Rosebud.” The film ends with Amelia completing Kane’s mission, restoring his name but at a great personal cost, leaving audiences pondering the price of justice and legacy.
