Eva Longoria has an unexpected connection to a major film franchise after making a $6 million investment to save it

Eva Longoria played a surprising role in the development of the John Wick franchise.

The 49-year-old star – who stepped out barefoot at the 2024 Academy Museum Gala – helped help the film series starring Keanu Reeves come to fruition by filling a $6 million investment discrepancy, earning a producing credit on the original film in 2014.

Directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch told Business Insider that the project almost didn’t happen due to an investor’s failure.

“We were less than a week in and we lost almost $6 million to insufficient funding,” Stahelski revealed. ‘We were independently financing our way into the title, but one of the investors was unable to raise the money in time.’

Longoria “came to the rescue and provided the necessary financing literally less than 24 hours before we had to lock the film’s doors and leave,” he added.

Eva Longoria played a surprising role in the development of the John Wick franchise

Eva helped the film series – starring Keanu Reeves – come to fruition by filling a $6 million investment discrepancy, which earned her a producing credit on the original film in 2014.

The directors did not know that Eva was the one investing the money until the action film was released.

To thank her, they took her to lunch.

Leitch reflected: ‘We were reminiscing. She said, “Wow, that was the best money I ever spent.” It was a significant return for her.

Keanu’s salary for the John Wick films was revealed earlier this year.

The first film earned him a base salary of between $1 million and $2 million, the second between $2 million and $2.5 million, and the fourth installment earned the Canadian actor a whopping $15 million.

Although Eva became an entrepreneur with businesses like her production company UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, a clothing line, and a cookbook, she first entered Hollywood as an artist.

In early October, she took to Instagram to mark the 20th anniversary of her hit ABC series Desperate Housewives.

The show created by Marc Cherry ran for eight seasons with more than 180 episodes between 2004 and 2012.

Longoria “came to the rescue and provided the necessary financing literally less than 24 hours before we had to lock the doors on the film and leave,” director Chad Stahelski said in a recent interview; Eva photographed on October 5th

In early October, Eva took to Instagram to mark the 20th anniversary of her hit ABC series Desperate Housewives.

Longoria played Gaby Solis on the show created by Marc Cherry for eight seasons between 2004 and 2012

She shared a series of photos from the set with co-stars Felicity Huffman, Teri Hatcher, Marcia Cross and Brenda Strong.

’20 years of Desperate Housewives!! I get so emotional thinking about how this show changed everything for me,” Longoria began the caption.

The mother-of-one added: “So many memories, so many episodes (we used to film 24 episodes a season back then!) and so many iconic outfits.”

The note continued: “Everything I know about film and TV I learned from that show,” she added before praising the show’s creator.

‘I am so grateful to my eternal mentor, Marc Cherry, and the women who took me in and showed me the way,’ she concluded, with the hashtag #DesperateHousewives.’