How Eva Longoria saved the filming of the first “John Wick” 24 hours before the project was abandoned

CINEMA – When Gabrielle Solis comes to John Wick’s aid. It's hard to imagine the former model played by Eva Longoria in Desperate Housewives fly to the rescue of the intrepid hitman played by Keanu Reeves. However, the first part of the action film saga directed by Chad Stahelski could not have been filmed without the intervention of the actress behind the character of Gaby.

For the 10th anniversary of the release of John Wick (2014) in the United States, Chad Stahelski spoke about the chaotic financing of his first film. “We were less than a week from the deadline and we lost almost $6 million due to a funding gap”he declared to Business Insider. “We had independent financing to pay the bond, but one of the investors couldn't raise the money in time,” continued the director of Polish origin.

The former stuntman, his co-director David Leitch (Deadpool 2, Bullet Train) and actor Keanu Reeves had already invested their own money in the project while the founder of the production company Thunder Road Pictures (Sicaro, Clash of the Titans) had even used three personal credit cards to try to fit into the budget.

The talent agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA) joined forces with the team to raise the necessary sum, offering to the actors it represented to finance the film. Among them, Eva Longoria, who became a producer through her company UnbeliEVAble Entertainment. The actress brought the missing part of the budget just in time.

“She came to the rescue and provided the necessary financing, literally less than 24 hours before we had to close the film doors and leave”assured the director.

After filming, Basil Iwanyk (Thunder Road Pictures) took the two directors to a restaurant, relieved to have found the money necessary to produce the first film in the saga. During the meal, the producer announced the news to Chad Stahelski and David Leitch: “ By the way, it's funny, do you know who financed you? Eva Longoria. »

A successful franchise

Surprised, the two friends finally took Eva Longoria to lunch at the prestigious Château Marmont in Los Angeles to thank her for having participated in saving John Wick.

“She laughed and said, 'I didn't think it would work’ »Chad Stahelski then recalls. During their meeting, the actress confided her satisfaction to David Leitch: “Wow, this is the best investment I have ever made”.

If the actress does not regret her investment, the director would still like to offer her a role in the franchise. “ She wants it, for sure, she wants to do action and I would love to work with her, we're trying to find something.”he assures.

The first part of John Wick grossed over $86 million worldwide and the franchise crossed the $1 billion mark with John Wick: Chapter 4. With its four feature films, the saga has expanded through the mini-series The Continentalavailable on Prime Video since September 2023. Ballerinaa spin-off set in the franchise universe is also planned for 2025.

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