Elena Sanchez: Stunts, Spotlight, and the Road to Hollywood
Elena Sanchez is a powerhouse of talent whose career spans acting, producing, and stunt performing in both indie films and major blockbusters. Known for her roles in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Avengers: Endgame, and upcoming projects like Captain America: Brave New World, Elena has made her mark in the industry, sharing the screen with legends like Nicolas Cage, Tom Cruise, and Chris Pratt. Born in Germany to a German mother and Spanish father, Elena’s journey from childhood performances to global recognition is a testament to her dedication and versatility. In this exclusive interview with Miami Living Magazine, Elena opens up about her latest film, Bone Face, her passion for stunt work, and what’s next in her exciting career.

Miami Living (ML): From your early days performing in plays like "Return to Neverland" and "The Nutcracker", to starring in massive blockbusters, how has your journey as an actress and stunt performer evolved over the years?
Elena: In elementary school, I think we all had to do the school plays, and it was just a fun thing to do. I also did ballet, which is how I ended up as a reindeer in The Nutcracker. At some point though, gymnastics took over and that was the only “performing” I did throughout middle and high school. I didn’t rediscover acting until I was in college but decided pretty quickly that I wanted to turn it into a career. After college, I moved to New York City and started working as an extra in all the TV shows that were filming there at the time, like Law & Order and Gossip Girl. I enrolled in drama school and became a waitress. Eventually, I found myself in New Orleans, which was considered Hollywood South at the time, and I started working pretty quickly as a stunt double on all the major movies that were coming through town, thanks to my background as a gymnast. After a couple of years, I went back to drama school and really focused on acting again. Since then I’ve been lucky to work fairly consistently, whether as an actress, doing stunts, or combining the two in what we call “action-acting.”
ML: You’ve worked with some incredible actors, from Nicolas Cage to Tom Cruise. Is there a standout moment or lesson you’ve learned from any of your co-stars that has stuck with you?
Elena: It’s just like Maya Angelou said — 'At the end of the day people won't remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.' Some of the actors I’ve worked with have gone out of their way to be nice or make me feel comfortable in some way, and I will never forget that. When you’re working on a movie set, you’re interacting with dozens, if not hundreds of people a day. Each of those interactions is an opportunity to acknowledge someone, and maybe even make them feel good or put a smile on their face. I try to remember that every single day.

ML: In your upcoming film Bone Face, you play a sheriff’s deputy investigating brutal murders at a summer camp. What was it like preparing for a role in a thriller like this, and what drew you to the character of Deputy McCully?
Elena: Ever since watching Knives Out, I’ve really wanted to do a murder mystery. When I read the Bone Face script and the role of Deputy McCully was offered to me, I jumped at the chance. Plus, I knew I would get to work with a team of people who I was familiar with and loved. It was a no-brainer! To prep for the role, I got myself very familiar with the script and also did some research on police officers. I wanted to play the role naturally and asked myself, “How would I react in this situation?” while at the same time knowing I would have the training and skill as a police officer to not let my emotions interfere with the job I had to do.
ML: You’ve been a part of some truly iconic films, including The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Avengers: Endgame. What’s it like to be part of projects with such a massive global impact?
Elena: It’s really incredible to be a part of such a huge project. It’s amazing watching them come together. No expense is spared, and you get to work with the best of the best. Those movie sets work like a well-oiled machine, and you feel lucky to be a tiny little part of it. It’s also really nice to hear from people how much those movies meant to them , whether they helped them through a tough time in life or inspired them to make a change in some way.
ML: Stunt work is a huge part of your career. What’s been your most challenging stunt to date, and how do you prepare mentally and physically for those demanding scenes?
Elena: That’s a tough question because some stunts have been more challenging mentally, while some have been more challenging physically, while some were both. I’ve done a stair-fall, been hit by a car, jumped off a cliff, been set on fire to name a few. Then there was the time I hung from a helicopter in Spider-Man’s arms surrounded by skyscrapers—that wasn’t challenging for me physically, but it was a challenge logistically in terms of how much went into making something like that happen.
In terms of preparation, mentally it’s about knowing your own skill set and trusting your body, while also trusting your team. And sometimes a stunt might involve some kind of specific training, but physically it’s mostly about taking care of your health and staying at a fitness level that your body is able to perform at.

ML: With your role in Captain America: Brave New World coming up, how did it feel to be part of the Marvel universe, and can you share any exciting behind-the-scenes moments from that project?
Elena: I’ve been lucky to be a part of several Marvel films, and they’re always a great experience. I can’t share much about the new Captain America, but I was excited to get to work with a bunch of my friends, which is always a treat! Also, Harrison Ford is such a legend. Getting to see him work was really special. Make sure to catch it in theaters, you won’t be disappointed!
ML: Your career spans across both independent films and major blockbusters. How do you approach these different types of projects, and is there a unique energy on set between the two?
Elena: The main difference between smaller indies and major blockbusters is the budget, and the number of people in the crew. Small indies are like a little film family. You all work together, sometimes wearing multiple hats, to create what is often a passion project. The big blockbusters are like a well-oiled machine, with hundreds of crew members on set, and thousands more behind the scenes. The main difference in approach is that on indies there is a little more creative freedom, whereas on major blockbusters things have gone through multiple channels before you show up to work, and there is often already a very clear idea of what you are supposed (and allowed) to do. What doesn’t change is the energy and the passion everyone has at work. Ultimately, I think most people have decided to work in this business to tell good stories, and I love being surrounded by fellow artists.
ML: Looking ahead, what exciting projects or roles are you most looking forward to tackling in the future, and how do you envision your career evolving in the next few years?
Elena: I just wrapped on a thriller called The Neglected, where I play a detective opposite Josh Duhamel. We also had Dylan Sprouse, Jason and Jeremy London, and Til Schweiger in the cast. It’s a great script and I can’t wait for people to see that one later this year. I’m looking forward to doing more roles like that, but also want to try something lighter, like a romantic comedy or a Christmas movie! I’ve also started producing in the last couple of years so I’m looking forward to doing more of that as well.

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