Over 10 years, the John Wick series has grown into a four-film franchise with a huge fanbase. But it nearly ended before it started, all because of a budget shortfall—until Eva Longoria stepped in.
During the first film’s production, they faced a funding gap of $2500000 after an investor failed to provide the money. The project was on the verge of being shut down.
That’s when Longoria, star of Desperate Housewives, quietly invested the needed funds and became a producer. “She offered the money less than 24 hours before we had to shut down,” director Chad Stahelski told Business Insider.
Stahelski hadn’t even met Longoria at that point and thought it was a joke. Afterward, they met for lunch, and Longoria said it was the best investment she ever made.
Her instinct paid off, as John Wick (2014) went on to earn more than $26002000 worldwide, and the franchise hit $992550000 with John Wick: Chapter 4.
Series expanded with the prequel mini-series The Continental. Spin-offs are also in the works, including John Wick: Under the High Table and Ballerina starring Ana de Armas, set to premiere on June 6, 2025. An anime prequel and John Wick 5 are also in development.