The Unsuspecting Savior of John Wick: How Eva Longoria Saved the Film from Collapse

As we mark the 10th anniversary of John Wick’s release on October 24th, it’s hard to believe the action-packed film that revitalized Keanu Reeves’ career and solidified its place among the greatest action movies of all time. But did you know that the film was once on the brink of collapse due to funding issues? That’s right; John Wick’s success was almost derailed, and it was only thanks to the intervention of actress-turned-filmmaker Eva Longoria.

In an interview with Business Insider, John Wick director Chad Stahelski shared the harrowing tale of how Longoria saved the film from collapse. As production was set to begin, the team was left with a whopping $6 million funding gap, just days away from being forced to abandon the project. But Longoria, who was approached by her agency, CAA, to invest in the film, stepped in and provided the necessary funds, injecting $6 million into the project just 24 hours before the doors were about to close on the movie.

This daring move earned Longoria her first big credit as a producer, and her return on investment has been exponentially lucrative, thanks to the film’s massive success and subsequent sequels, as well as the upcoming spin-off movie, Ballerina, set to release on June 6, 2025.

But how did Stahelski and his co-director David Leitch find out about Longoria’s heroics? According to Stahelski, producer Basil Iwanyk took the duo out to dinner, sharing the astonishing news and leaving them in awe. “We were like, ‘What?!'” exclaimed Stahelski. “It was a turning point in the film’s history, and we were incredibly grateful for her involvement.”

As for the future of the John Wick franchise, the door is still open for a potential John Wick: Chapter 5, although nothing has been officially confirmed. In the meantime, fans can look forward to From the World of John Wick: Ballerina and another spin-off movie centered around Donnie Yen’s Caine character.

The remarkable story of Eva Longoria’s intervention and the John Wick franchise’s close calls serves as a reminder that sometimes, it takes a little bit of magic to bring a project to life. Here’s to the improbable success of John Wick, and to the unsung heroes behind the scenes who make it all happen!

A Timeline of the John Wick Franchise

• John Wick (2014)
• John Wick: Chapter 2 (2016)
• John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)
• John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)
• From the World of John Wick: Ballerina (2025)
• Donnie Yen’s spin-off movie (TBC)

What’s Next for the John Wick Franchise?

• The possibility of John Wick: Chapter 5
• From the World of John Wick: Ballerina (June 6, 2025)
• Donnie Yen’s spin-off movie (TBC)