You might not see Eva Longoria in any of the John Wick films, but we have her to thank for the action-packed franchise’s existence. While Keanu Reeves takes center stage as the iconic hitman, Eva played a key role behind the scenes in getting the first movie off the ground.
Eva, the 49-year-old actress known for her role in Desperate Housewives, holds a production credit on the first John Wick film, which premiered in 2014. And it turns out, her involvement was much more crucial than anyone might have guessed.
In a recent interview with Business Insider, the movie’s directors, Chad Stahelski and David Leitch, revealed a surprising story about how the project was nearly derailed before it even started filming. A financing deal fell through just days before production, putting the entire movie at risk. This was when Eva stepped in and saved the day.
“We were less than a week out, and we lost almost $6 million on a gap financing,” Chad explained. “We were financing independently to get the bond, but one of the investors couldn’t raise the money in time.”
With the clock ticking, things were looking grim for the project. But Eva swooped in with a last-minute investment. “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,” Chad shared.
What’s even more amazing is that the directors didn’t know it was Eva who saved the film until after John Wick was released. Once they found out, they made sure to thank her in person.
“We were reminiscing. She was like, ‘Wow, that was the best money I’ve ever spent.’ It paid back significantly for her,” David Leitch recalled.
Eva’s investment not only helped John Wick get made, but it turned out to be a lucrative decision for her. The franchise has since spawned multiple successful sequels, becoming a huge box office hit and a beloved action series around the world.
So while Keanu Reeves’ portrayal of John Wick may be what draws audiences in, it’s Eva Longoria’s behind-the-scenes contribution that made sure the world got to see the movie in the first place. Her quick decision to step in and provide the necessary funding truly saved the franchise, proving that sometimes, the biggest heroes are the ones we don’t see on screen.
