Eva Longoria saved “John Wick” with $6 million in funding

The first “John Wick” film was released ten years ago and launched another iconic action franchise for Keanu Reeves, which has since grossed $1 billion worldwide across four films. But it turns out that this success wouldn't have been possible without Eva Longoria. Speaking to Business Insider, directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch recalled that Longoria raised $6 million less than 24 hours before filming to fill an unexpected funding gap for the film.

“We were out for less than a week and lost almost $6 million due to gap funding,” Stahelski said. “We funded independently to get the bond, but one of the investors couldn’t raise the money in time.”

The filmmakers and Reeve had already put their own money into “John Wick” because they believed in the project, while producer Basil Iwanyk had maxed out three of his personal credit cards to contribute his own funds to the budget. CAA helped the team finance the film and, in a last-ditch attempt to save the project, offered some of its actors the opportunity to invest in the film.

“[Eva] came to the rescue and she provided the gap funding literally less than 24 hours before we had to lock the doors on the film and leave,” Stahelski said. “Basil took us to dinner [after filming]and we were laughing at all the nonsense that happened and he said, 'By the way, funny story, do you know who funded you?' Eva Longoria.” We said, 'What!'”

Stahelski and Leitch eventually went to lunch with Longoria at the Chateau Marmont to thank her for saving “John Wick.”

“She laughed and said, 'I didn't think it would work,'” Stahelski recalled, while Leitch said that Longoria would later tell him that investing in “John Wick” was “the best money.” have ever spent them.

Did Longoria's investment ever convince the directors that they should cast her in one of the John Wick sequels? “She definitely wants it, she wants to do something,” Leitch said. “I would like to work with her, we are trying to find something.”

Visit Business Insider's website to learn more about the 10th anniversary of “John Wick” starring Stahelski and Leitch.