Today, October 24, marks the 10th anniversary of John Wick, the film that revitalized Keanu Reeves’ career and arguably ranks among the greatest action movies of all time. But few knew how close the project came to never happening, if not for the intervention of actress-turned-filmmaker Eva Longoria.
While speaking with Business Insider, John Wick director Chad Stahelski explained how Longoria saved the film from collapsing when funding for the project was in jeopardy before the start of production.
“We were less than a week out, and we lost almost $6 million on a gap financing.” recalled Stahelski. “We were financing independently to get the bond, but one of the investors couldn’t raise the money in time. [Longoria] 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.”
Longoria came on board after her agency, CAA, approached its performers with the chance to invest in the film. She contributed the $6 million that was needed, and received her first big credit as a producer. Since the film has spawned multiple sequels and an upcoming spin-off movie, Ballerina, Longoria’s return on that investment has been very lucrative.
Stahelski also revealed how he and his uncredited co-director David Leitch found out about Longoria’s contribution.
“[Producer Basil Iwanyk] 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?!'”
There may still be a John Wick: Chapter 5 despite the definitive ending of Chapter 4. In the meantime, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina will be released on June 6, 2025. Additionally, another spin-off movie is in the works about Donnie Yen’s Caine.
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