My Holiday Rules

Elena Sanchez’s Holiday Rules

December 31, 2020January 5, 2025 by admin

With a resume that reads like a masterclass in Hollywood versatility, Elena Sanchez has proven herself to be both a dynamic actress and a force of nature in the world of stunts. From her unforgettable portrayal of Cecelia in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire to her SAG Award-winning work in Avengers: Endgame, Sanchez continues to break boundaries and redefine action and performance on screen.

This January, she enters the gritty world of murder mystery thrillers as Deputy McCully in Bone Face, sharing the screen with Mallrats star Jeremy London. Then, just in time for Valentine’s Day 2025, her formidable stunt work will be fully displayed in Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World. Whether taking on high-stakes action or emotionally charged roles, Sanchez brings a rare blend of power and precision to every project.

We sat down with the multi-talented star to talk about her journey, her inspirations, and the thrilling roles that lie ahead.

Bone Face dives into the dark world of small-town murders and summer camp horrors. As Deputy McCully, you step into a character who navigates fear and justice. What was it like embodying this role, and how did you prepare to bring her strength and vulnerability to life?

The first headspace I try to put myself in when preparing for a role like this is, “What would Elena do in this situation?” Obviously, police officers are trained to not let their emotions get the best of them, so I kept that in mind. But other than that, I tried to really understand and feel what it would be like to be stuck in a diner with a killer, not knowing who it is, but confident enough in my skills and those of my partner that we would be able to figure it out. That being said, it was a really interesting experience playing this role, because it’s such a serious movie, but I was on set with some of my best friends, laughing and joking. We had a blast!

From portraying Cecelia in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire to intense stunt work in Captain America: Brave New World, your career beautifully blurs the line between acting and action. How do you balance these two worlds while making each character—and every stunt—your own?

Well, when you’re stunt doubling, you’re watching the actress and learning how to imitate her walk, the way she moves, and her mannerisms, so it’s not so much about making it your own but creating a character together with the actress you’re doubling. And the first few years of my career, it was actually really hard to balance stunts with acting. I started working so consistently as a stunt double, that casting directors and agents had a hard time seeing me as more than that. I had to start turning down long runs of movies as a stunt double, to try to book a day or two of acting work to build my acting resume.

I went back to drama school. I marketed myself as more of an actor and didn’t post about my stunt work as much. I have really enjoyed the emotional journeys of playing different roles, which is mostly missing when you’re doing stunts. As an actress, I get to be myself, just “living truthfully under imaginary circumstances,” as Sanford Meisner said. The beautiful thing is that now I actually get a lot of calls to do “action acting,” where instead of just acting or just stunt doubling, I get to play a character and do my own stunts. And when I get to do that, I truly get to make it all my own, just by being me.

You’ve worked on over 100 productions spanning indies to global blockbusters. What are some of the most pivotal lessons you’ve learned from being on such a diverse range of sets?

The main difference between huge blockbusters and smaller indies is the size of the crew and the resources available. In the big movies, everything runs like a well-oiled machine, and everyone has their place. In smaller indies, there is more of an “all hands on deck” attitude. Sometimes people are working in multiple departments and doing multiple jobs. Also, the problem-solving becomes more creative, because you can’t just throw money at a problem. The main thing that never changes though, and I say it all the time, is that “teamwork makes the dream work.”

Winning a SAG Award for Avengers: Endgame and receiving multiple nominations highlights your dedication to stunts and storytelling. What moment in your stunt career has pushed you the most, physically and mentally?

This is a tough question because there have been a lot! The first movie I worked the whole run of, Texas Chainsaw 3D, where I was stunt doubling for Alexandra Daddario, was challenging because there were a lot of “firsts” on that one: first stair fall, first car hit. Then in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, I had never worked with weapons before, and we spent months training, which got me into the best shape of my life! A stunt that really pushed me mentally was the fire burn I did on Demigod. First of all, we’re told our entire lives how dangerous fire is, and now you’re telling me I’m going to willingly get set on fire? Also, it was different to other stunts, because the fire was an element that I had little control over. A fire burn is kind of like a dance with a partner that you hope is going to cooperate, but you don’t know for sure what he’s going to do.

Born in Germany to a German mother and Spanish father, and having trained at Cornell, Lee Strasberg, and RADA—how have your international roots and education shaped the way you approach your craft?

Growing up internationally is what made me adaptable and resilient – two things you need to survive in this industry. And moving to a different country as a kid and starting over, not once, but twice, gave me the confidence to move to New York after college to pursue a career that seemed impossible to break into. I’m lucky that my parents gave my sister and me a childhood that made us strong and independent. And studying acting at different schools around the world which taught different methods, allowed me to create my own formula when approaching my work.

“Ultimately, this business takes all of your life experiences and lets you use them as tools for whatever challenge you need to conquer on any given day.”

We’re excited for Captain America: Brave New World to hit theatres next year. Without giving too much away, what can audiences look forward to in this chapter of the Marvel Universe, and what was your most memorable experience working on the film?

I can’t say too much without Marvel showing up at my doorstep with handcuffs, but I will say that audiences are in for a treat. There are some epic performances in the film. My favourite thing about working on the movie is that it was a grand reunion with lots of friends I hadn’t seen in a while. It’s always more fun when you’re working with friends. Some of us went way back to the beginning of my career – we used to live in New Orleans together in the early 2010s. Getting to see each other and working together again was amazing.

Your character in The Walking Dead delivered one of the final season’s standout moments. How did it feel to step into such a high-stakes role in a show with such an enormous legacy—and fanbase?

The funny thing is, I didn’t actually know that I would be killing off one of the main characters until the day of, a couple of hours before we shot that scene. I was glad I was killing a villain because the fans are super passionate, and if you kill one of the good guys, they’ll come after you! The scene involved a prosthetic on Teo, the actor who played Sebastian, so I wanted to get it right the first time because it would have taken a lot of time to reset everything to do it again. Also, Greg Nicotero came in to oversee that scene. So, I’m kneeling there ripping into Sebastian’s neck while Greg is right behind the camera… talk about pressure! I’m so glad the fans loved it. My social media exploded, and it was fun interacting with everyone about the episode.

From co-stars like Nicolas Cage and Sam Rockwell to Tim Roth and Tom Cruise, you’ve shared scenes with industry icons. What’s one piece of advice or a behind-the-scenes moment with a fellow actor that has stayed with you?

I will never forget how it is to be on a Tom Cruise movie. I’ve been lucky enough to do two. I think that was the first time I really noticed how much the lead actor’s energy can affect the entire crew. Tom expects you to give 110%, but he gives 110% himself, so it makes you want to do your absolute best. That elevates the entire experience and also creates a better final product.

Bone Face taps into the thriller genre, while your resume ranges from action epics to television dramas. Is there a particular genre or role you haven’t explored yet that you’re dying to take on?

I’d love to do a Christmas movie! I watched a bunch of the ones on Netflix this year, and I think it would be so fun to do one of those. Plus, my mom is always asking me when I’m going to do a romantic comedy. She doesn’t like action or horror, so she wants me to do something that she’ll actually enjoy watching!

Whether it’s a Marvel blockbuster or a haunting thriller, storytelling is at the heart of your work. What stories do you hope to tell in the next phase of your career, and what keeps you inspired as both an actor and performer?

“I just want to tell stories that inspire people, make them laugh, make them believe in love, help them in some way, or make them think about things that they hadn’t before. The possibility of that is what keeps me going.”

Elena’s Holiday Rules

Favourite holiday destination?

Switzerland! Christmas over there is magical.

Carry-on only or over-packer?

Under a week = carry-on. Over a week = over-packer.

What’s the one beauty product you always pack?

My MyCHELLE Sunscreen. Can’t live without it!

Go-to airport outfit: chic or comfy?

Comfy. Leggings and hoodie. How do people fly in dresses and heels?!

Your must-have fashion item for a beach getaway?

An oversized sun hat! Keeps the sun off my face but looks fabulous.

Best packing tip to stay stylish without overdoing it?

A chic pair of sunglasses can automatically add style to any outfit.

What’s at the top of your travel bucket list?

Thailand! I want to see those famous beaches.

Beach or city vacations?

I like to alternate. Take me to London, Paris, or New York, and the Maldives next?

How do you keep your skin glowing after a long flight?

I never wear makeup on a long flight and use a moisturiser with hyaluronic acid right before.