When the first John Wick film hit theaters in 2014, it quickly became a cult classic, launching a highly successful franchise that has since grossed over a billion dollars worldwide. But the road to success was far from smooth, and it was thanks to a surprising act of generosity from a Hollywood actress that the film was able to see the light of day.
As directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch revealed in a recent interview with Business Insider, the production of John Wick faced a major financial setback just days before filming was set to begin. With a crucial funding gap looming, the filmmakers and their team were scrambling to find a solution.
“We were less than a week out and we lost almost $6 million,” Stahelski explained. “We were financing independently to get the bond, but one of the investors couldn’t raise the money in time.”
With the fate of the film hanging in the balance, the filmmakers turned to their agents at CAA for help. In a desperate attempt to secure the necessary funds, CAA offered a select group of actors the opportunity to invest in the project.
One of those actors who stepped up was Eva Longoria. With less than 24 hours to spare, Longoria provided the crucial $6 million that saved John Wick from being shut down.
“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,” Stahelski said. “Basil [Iwanyk, the producer] took us out to dinner [after filming], 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!’”
Stahelski and Leitch were so grateful for Longoria’s support that they took her out to lunch at the Chateau Marmont to express their thanks.
“She was laughing going, ‘I didn’t think it was going to work,'” Stahelski recalled. Leitch added that Longoria later told him that investing in John Wick was “the best money” she’d ever spent.
