On the Brink of Collapse Without a Shot Fired
The John Wick series, which has become a multi-billion-dollar franchise and a hallmark in modern action cinema, might have ended before it even began if not for a surprise hero behind the scenes: Eva Longoria. Longoria’s unexpected financial intervention saved the production of the first film just days before it was set to shut down.
In a recent interview marking the 10th anniversary of John Wick, director Chad Stahelski shared how close they came to calling it quits on the Keanu Reeves picture due to a significant financial setback. “We were less than a week out, and we lost almost $US6 million on a gap financing,” Stahelski recounted to Business Insider. The problem arose when one of the original investors was unable to secure the money needed for the final financing, putting the film’s future – and thus any potential franchise – in serious jeopardy.
To grasp the significance of a $US6 million shortfall, consider that the total budget for John Wick ended up being $US20 million.
Enter Eva Longoria
With limited options, the producers turned to Creative Artists Agency (CAA), who suggested a unique opportunity: allow some of its clients to invest in the film, prioritising them for payback upon the film’s release. Longoria, a multi-hyphenate with credits that include actor, director, and producer, accepted the offer, stepping in just in time. Said Stahelski, “She came to the rescue and she provided the gap financing, literally less than 24 hours before we had to lock the doors on the movie and walk away.”
The Directors’ Surprising Discovery
Interestingly, Stahelski and co-director David Leitch were unaware of Longoria’s involvement until after production on the film had wrapped. Producer Basil Iwanyk revealed the mystery financier’s identity at a celebratory dinner, leaving the directors shocked. Stahelski recalled: “Basil took us out to dinner, and we were laughing about all the bullshit that happened, and he said: ‘By the way, funny story, you know who gap financed you? Eva Longoria.’ We were like, ‘What!’”
A Profitable Decision for Longoria
Following the revelation, the directors took Longoria to lunch at the Chateau Marmont to thank her personally. Reflecting on the investment’s success, Leitch remembered Longoria’s enthusiasm. “We were reminiscing. She was like, ‘Wow, that was the best money I’ve ever spent.’ It paid back significantly for her,” Leitch noted, underscoring the high return on her last-minute decision.
The Legacy of John Wick Lives On
The franchise has since exploded into a cultural phenomenon, with John Wick (2014) raking in over $86 million worldwide and sparking three sequels, all starring Keanu Reeves as the titular assassin. The series has surpassed $1 billion in earnings globally and shows no sign of slowing down. Fans can look forward to an Ana de Armas-led spinoff, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, set for release in June 2025. Also in store: a prequel anime, another sequel series titled John Wick: Under the High Table, and a forthcoming project where Donnie Yen will return as Caine.
Without Longoria’s intervention, the John Wick legacy might never have reached the screen. Her decision to step in financially ensured that a then-unknown film would survive — and ultimately flourish into one of the most acclaimed action franchises of the last decade.
