Elena Sanchez, the Spanish-German actress, has gracefully navigated her career through a myriad of roles in both indie films and major Hollywood productions. From her breakout in The Hunger Games to her latest work in Captain America: Brave New World and Bone Face, Sanchez has become a recognized face in both acting and stunt performing. In a candid interview, she shares her journey from childhood performer to major star, offering insight into what makes her such a versatile and compelling presence in cinema today.
Photography Ben Cope
Words Angel Neal
Sanchez’s career began in a way she never expected. "Growing up, I wanted to be a vet," she admits with a laugh. "Then I realized I loved animals too much to see them hurt and sick. I thought I wanted to manage hotels, but nothing clicked." It was while pursuing a degree in hotel management that she discovered her true calling.
"I took an acting class as an elective, and I just fell in love with it. I thought, if I could be as excited to go to work every day as I am to go to this class, then I’ve found the right thing for me."
Despite having no connections to the industry, Sanchez's passion for acting grew, and soon she was determined to make it her career. "I had no one in my family or circle who knew anything about the business, but I was going to figure it out." She found her breakthrough after transitioning from theater and gymnastics into stunt work, which became a cornerstone of her career. Reflecting on her formative experiences in theater and gymnastics, Sanchez emphasizes the importance of performing in front of an audience. "I think the stuff I did as a kid got me used to performing in front of people," she explains. "Gymnastics is all about precision and performance, and that really helped me transition into film and TV." Her background in gymnastics naturally led her to stunt work, as Sanchez learned to control her body and execute complex moves with ease.
However, her journey into stunts wasn’t a conventional one. "Casting directors don’t really deal with stunts directly," Sanchez shares. "It’s the stunt coordinators who hire stunt performers." But her gymnastics skills led to her first stunt job – a commercial for a cell phone. "I didn’t even realize I was doing stunts at the time, but when I got home, I thought, 'Oh my gosh, I just did stunts!'"One of Sanchez's latest roles is Deputy McCully in the thrilling murder mystery Bone Face, where she plays a character embroiled in a tense, high-stakes investigation. "The big thing for me was that I had never done a murder mystery before," Sanchez reveals. "I love Knives Out, and I wanted to do something like that." She was drawn to McCully’s complexity as a character who is both tough and vulnerable. "You have to strike a balance. As a police officer, I have training to separate my emotions from the job. But at the same time, I didn’t want to make McCully so tough that she couldn’t connect with others’ humanity."
Working with actors like Jeremy London and David Kallaway added another layer of depth to her performance. "Jeremy and I had worked together before, so that was a great dynamic. And with David, he’s a good friend of mine. He plays this rough biker in the movie, but in real life, he’s like the biggest teddy bear," she says with a smile. Sanchez’s role in Captain America: Brave New World is another highlight in her impressive resume. While the stunts in the film weren’t particularly challenging for her, the experience of working on a massive blockbuster with seasoned professionals was unforgettable. "I got to be part of some of the larger action sequences, and it was such a fun time because I was working with friends I’ve known for years. Plus, getting to share the set with legends like Harrison Ford was surreal!"For Sanchez, the secret to success in these action-packed films lies in teamwork. "You have to trust your team when it comes to stunts, especially when you’re working on something dangerous. You need to trust that everyone knows what they’re doing to ensure a safe and smooth shoot." As a skilled stunt performer and actress, Sanchez is excited about the evolution of women in the action genre. "I love that I’ve been given opportunities to bridge the gap between stunt women and actresses," she says. "I look up to women like Zoe Bell and Monique Ganderton, who’ve paved the way for us. I want to take on more roles where I get to be a badass while also acting."
The shift in the industry is evident, as more films are embracing diversity, not only in gender but also in race. "It’s not just about the action anymore. Stories are becoming more meaningful, and that’s what I love," Sanchez explains. "Movies should tell important stories, and I’m honored to be a part of that."
In addition to acting and stunts, Sanchez has also taken on the role of producer. She finds the challenge of balancing producing with acting exhilarating.
"Producing is like doing a giant puzzle. You gather all the pieces, and then you make sure everything fits together to create a beautiful picture," she explains. "It can be hard to juggle, especially when I’m both acting and producing in the same project, but I love the challenge."
Her first big producer credit was for the film Open, where she played a lead role while also taking on producing responsibilities. "There were days when I’d wrap a long shoot, and instead of relaxing, I’d be checking the call sheets and making sure everything for the next day was in place. But it’s all worth it because it’s rewarding to see a project come to life."
As Sanchez continues to take on major roles, she remains grounded and enthusiastic about her future in the industry. "This year, I’ve got a lot of exciting projects coming up," she shares. Captain America: Brave New World is just one of the many releases that fans can look forward to. She’s also excited about The Neglected, a detective thriller she stars in alongside Josh Duhamel, and The Seventh Turn, a short film she produced about emotional abuse and gaslighting. In the world of big blockbusters and indie films, Sanchez’s versatility shines through. "I think you need to do it all," she says of her experiences in both realms. "The big movies give you the chance to work with amazing people and see how everything comes together, while indie films offer more creative freedom. Both have their place, and both are important in different ways."Sanchez isn’t just looking at more action-packed roles; she has her sights set on a new genre. "I’d love to do a romantic comedy or a Christmas movie. I’ve been watching a ton of those Netflix Christmas movies, and they seem so fun. I’m putting it out into the universe now—casting directors, I want to do a Netflix Christmas movie!"
As an actress, stunt performer, and producer, Elena Sanchez continues to prove that the key to success in Hollywood is a combination of talent, hard work, and the ability to embrace every opportunity that comes her way. Through her diverse range of roles, Sanchez shows no signs of slowing down, and her future in the industry looks brighter than ever. To keep up with all things Elena make sure to follow her @theelenasanchez .
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