Chad Stahelski and David Leitch, the co-directors of the 2014 action thriller “John Wick,” have revealed that actress Eva Longoria contributed millions to the project after the filmmakers experienced a funding shortfall that nearly jeopardized the film’s production.
“We were less than a week out and we lost almost $6 million on a gap financing,” Stahelski told Business Insider in a recent interview published on Oct. 21.
“We were financing independently to get the bond, but one of the investors couldn’t raise the money in time.”
The filmmaker said he, Leitch, and Keanu Reeves, the film’s lead actor, had already exhausted their financial contributions. “John Wick” producer Basil Iwanyk had also maxed out three of his credit cards to support the film.
“We all had put in everything,” Stahelski recounted. “And we were still short. So we were shut down.”
Leitch told the publication that the Creative Artists Agency, which was managing the film’s financing, offered several actors the opportunity to invest in the film.
“[Eva Longoria] came to the rescue and she provided the gap financing,” Stahelski said.
“We didn’t know any of this. Basil never told Keanu or us. Literally less than 24 hours before we had to lock the doors on the movie and walk away, Basil said, ‘We’ve got the investor, we’ve locked the gap.’”
The film spawned a franchise with the release of “John Wick: Chapter 2” in 2017. “John Wick: Chapter 3–Parabellum” premiered in 2019, followed by the debut of “John Wick: Chapter 4” last year.
Leitch told Business Insider that Longoria was very happy with her return on investment.
Actress Turned Producer
Longoria made her small screen debut in the aughts, appearing on several television shows, including “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “General Hospital,” “The Young and the Restless,” and “Dragnet.”The actress landed her breakout role in 2004, portraying Gabrielle Solis on the ABC television series “Desperate Housewives.”
In 2005, Longoria founded the production company UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, known for producing television series such as “Ready for Love,” “Devious Maids,” “Telenovela,” and “Grand Hotel.”
In October 2023, Longoria and television producer Cris Abrego co-founded Hyphenate Media Group, a production company and talent scouting agency.
“With Hyphenate Media Group, Cris and I are leveraging the power of the creative industry’s greatest resource, the multi-hyphenate, to help meet audiences and the industry where they are,” Longoria said in a statement at the time.
“We are answering the industry’s call for premium inclusive content with broad appeal and an undeniable point of view. Our intention is to provide greater financial participation for makers, creators, talent, and entrepreneurs—the Hyphenates.
“Given the multiple transformations that our business is undergoing, I cannot think of a better time to lean into makers, who are the essential drivers of the creative enterprise.”
The Hyphenate Media Group, which is backed by the French media company Banijay, acquired Longoria’s UnbeliEVAble Entertainment. The production company’s first project, a comedy-drama series called “Land of Women,” debuted in June on Apple TV+.
“Combining Cris’ standout creative leadership with Eva’s reputation as a celebrated producer, director, and activist, this is a powerful home where multi-hyphenate voices can truly tell inclusive mainstream stories,” Marco Bassetti, Banijay’s chief executive officer, shared in a statement.
“And, with an ambitious vision, unrivaled credentials, and an impressive growth trajectory, this marks the perfect first strategic investment for us in the U.S. scripted market; a space we’d explored for some time but never, until now, found the right fit to cut through.”
Longoria currently stars in the fourth season of Hulu’s hit show “Only Murders in the Building,” which premiered on Aug. 27. The mystery comedy series was recently renewed for a fifth season.
