The John Wick Franchise Was Saved by This Surprising TV Superstar

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As a movie enthusiast with a keen eye for film history and an appreciation for Hollywood’s behind-the-scenes tales, I can confidently say that Eva Longoria’s role in making John Wick a reality is nothing short of extraordinary. Her investment, coming less than 24 hours before filming began, was the lifeline this little-known movie needed to become the action juggernaut it is today.

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the blockbuster action film “John Wick”, fans should express gratitude to Eva Longoria, as her assistance played a crucial role in its inception. The movie, featuring Keanu Reeves, transformed from an obscure production into a box office sensation, kickstarting a highly profitable film series. Each sequel has surpassed its predecessor in earnings, and a TV show and spin-offs are now planned. However, the entire franchise could have been just a footnote without the aid of one “Desperate Housewives” actress.

In a conversation with Business Insider, directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch shared that actress Eva Longoria contributed $6 million just hours before filming commenced, as one of their investors failed to secure the necessary funds on time. The filmmakers, Keanu Reeves, and producer Basil Iwanyk had already invested money, with Iwanyk even maxing out three credit cards to help fund the budget. However, they were still short on funds. The final budget for John Wick is reported to be between $20 million and $30 million. In a desperate effort to gather financing, talent agency CAA approached some of its clients with an opportunity to invest in the film. At the last possible moment, it came together, and eventually, Eva Longoria stepped forward to help. Stahelski commented on this:

Approximately a week from completion, we faced an unexpected loss of nearly $6 million due to a delay in gap financing. As we were funding independently for the bond, one investor failed to secure funds on time. Just hours before we had to close production and abandon the film, [Eva] stepped in to provide the necessary gap financing. Following the filming, Basil invited us out for dinner, and we shared our amusing experiences. In the midst of laughter, Basil casually mentioned, “By the way, did you know who financed your project? Eva Longoria.” Our response was one of surprise!

It Was Eva Longoria to the Rescue

In appreciation for her crucial role in saving the movie, Stahelski and Leitch treated Longoria to lunch at the renowned Chateau Marmont in Hollywood later on. Leitch recalled that Longoria expressed doubts about the film’s success but was content with her investment. Longoria herself admitted that investing in John Wick was the best money she had ever spent. Although she played a significant part in the John Wick series, she has not appeared in any of its installments (so far). However, it seems there’s still a possibility for this, as Leitch expressed interest in collaborating with her on an action movie. Perhaps Longoria will eventually be cast in one of the upcoming John Wick spin-offs.

Eva Longoria is well-known for her appearances on television series like ‘The Young and the Restless’, ‘Desperate Housewives’, and more recently, ‘Land of Women’. She made her directorial debut in 2023 with the feature film ‘Flamin’ Hot’. Besides acting, Longoria has been a shrewd businesswoman for years, opening restaurants, launching a clothing line, and even being part of the ownership group of Angel City FC in the National Women’s Soccer League. Her philanthropic efforts are extensive, with charities like Eva’s Heroes and The Eva Longoria Foundation aiding young adults with developmental disabilities and providing Latinas with educational and job opportunities. In fact, her involvement in numerous projects, charities, and individuals has been humorously referenced in the latest season of ‘Only Murders in the Building’, where she portrays a fictionalized version of herself.

The news of Eva Longoria being part of “John Wick” is an exciting revelation that enriches an already iconic movie. It’s intriguing that this detail remained undisclosed for so long, as she had the opportunity to share it anytime, but she opted not to. Instead, she played a behind-the-scenes role, allowing the film to stand alone in its storytelling, a decision that proved beneficial both financially and symbolically. The “John Wick” series, with Eva Longoria’s involvement, has amassed a staggering $1 billion at the global box office, making her initial investment of $6 million a significant factor in its success. Now, as fans enjoy watching “John Wick,” they can appreciate Eva Longoria for her contribution to their cinematic pleasure.

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2024-10-24 14:35