Eve Torres Gracie is back in the ring.

Not quite back in WWE, but in the ring for “Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power.”

Former WWE superstar Eve Torres Gracie stars as Chancara, a tough female ring fighter, in the continuation of the adventures of the Scorpion King. In the scene, she gets to tangle with actress Ellen Hollman in one spectacular female versus female battle inside a ring.

Latino-Review had an exclusive phone interview with the actress last month to discuss about the stunts, action sequences, and her new career of acting.

“Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power” is available for digital download and Blu-ray today.

Read the full interview below.

Latino-Review: What made you be attracted to this project for “Scorpion King 4?”

Eve Torres Gracie: Well, the scene itself I felt like it was created for me. It’s a really awesome fight scene between me and the lead actress, Ellen Hollman. I don’t think there [are] enough great female fight scenes in films. When I heard about it, I was so excited to be on board. Not to mention that the Scorpion King series always been able to tap into the MMA and WWE communities. I felt like it was just a good fit.

Latino-Review: So tell me the truth—how does it feel to be back in the ring? [Laughter]

Eve Torres Gracie: [Laughter] Yeah, it was like that honestly. Don’t get me wrong—fighting on film is very different than fighting in the ring. There are still a lot of similarities. What makes a good film fight is what makes a good match in the wrestling world. I actually had a lot of fun and I was really glad to be in there to have that physical connection. [It’s] really important to me in terms of continuing in the entertainment route.

Latino-Review: So was it a lot easier to do it on camera rather than to do it live?

Eve Torres Gracie: Y’know, there are some things that are easier and there are some things that are not. For live, you get one take and you’re done. You go out there. You wrestle your heart out and then you’re done for the night. On film, it may take three full long hard days just for one scene. There are so many angles and so many things to consider. So it’s a lot longer and it feels like a lot of hard work.

It’s harder to say if one is harder or not. Obviously, it’s one filming opportunity rather than being on the road non-stop. I prefer doing this every once in a while than schedule of WWE which was wearing on me a little bit. It’s kind of a good balance.

Latino-Review: You’ve been retired for quite some time now. How did you get back in preparation mode for this scene?

Eve Torres Gracie: I was a little concern. I haven’t taken something like this in so long. Is my body going to be in shambles? It pretty much was. I was really sore the days after filming this. The only way to get your body in this condition—is just to do it. The body will just get used to it. I haven’t done it for a while. Obviously, I still continue with my jiu-jitsu training.

As far as getting in physically in shape, I wasn’t too far out of it. It was just trying to prepare the body to take some falls.

Latino-Review: Tell me about the scene with Ellen and the stunts involved.

Eve Torres Gracie: Yes, Ellen Hollman is the star. She is so fun to work with. I was a little nervous, because it was going to be with the actress. There’s not that many actresses that could do stunt work. She was just so much fun to work with. She was really great. She was really dedicated to the best scene we could possibly make.

We did have a fight choreographer, Grant Powell, who is from South Africa. He is so awesome and so great. He researched me and he said, “Could we put in some moves from jiu-jitsu or from your wrestling?” And we did that. We incorporated some wrestling into the scene. That was really cool. It really felt like it was my element than going to do something totally different that I wouldn’t feel comfortable with. He also knew that people who would be watching it would recognize the same kind of style.

It was a lot of fun. There were a lot of stunts involved. That’s why it took us so long to get it just perfect.  

Latino-Review: So what moves did you get to use from the WWE days back into this fight scene?

Eve Torres Gracie: There was a moonsault in there. There were also some suplexes and tons of really awesome stuff. I was really amazed by the choreography when I saw it. I was blown away. I was so excited to watch it and it was really fun. I was really happy on how it turned out. Any WWE fans would be really happy to watch this scene, I think.

Latino-Review: So you always been a fan of the Scorpion King series?

Eve Torres Gracie: Yeah. I think they found a great niche. First “Scorpion King” was obviously with The Rock. That was a hug launching pad for The Rock to be the [first] star of the series. Now they’re always pulling from the WWE and MMA communities for their stars and their talents. It’s great because it’s the people who love that world. The movies are fun and entertaining. And they’re really funny. I was laughing a lot.

Latino-Review: How do you enjoy your new career now as an actress?

Eva Torres Gracie: I’m loving it. Like I said, there are some definite differences from the WWE world. It’s hard, but in different kinds of ways. The days on set are just longer with breaks in between. I really enjoy tapping on that side of myself. I’ve taken from what I’ve learned from WWE by performing in front of thousands of people and millions at home—then taking that experience to translate it into film or television. It was a challenge and really fun for me.

Latino-Review: Of course, you were on a regular television series for some time, which wasn’t quite physical. However, this film is quite physical. Which do you prefer?

Eva Torres Gracie: I like both of them. They are just so different, but I do think that physical ones in which I get to do some action is so much fun. It’s great to watch the finished product that you put your heart and soul into something. It turns out great. It’s all worth it.

Latino-Review: Obviously, The Rock used “Scorpion King” to launch his career as an action superstar. Are you hoping to launch yourself as an female action star since the industry doesn’t have too many of those?

Eva Torres Gracie: There aren’t too many right now. I don’t think there are that many who could do their own stunts and be believable. So if the world is ready for me, then I’m ready for it. I think this is the first great opportunity to work in that world.

I have a project I’m working with fight scenes and great action stuff in Hong Kong and Beijing. I’m excited on where all this all leads.

Latino-Review: What’s the name of the movie for the new role you’re taking on?

Eva Torres Gracie: I’m not sure if I’m allowed to say. I don’t know. We’ll have to see if it’s on IMDB yet. You never know when you’re allowed to announce if you’re part of it.

Latino-Review: All I see is something called, “Skiptrace.”

Eva Torres Gracie: Yes, yes! It is the “Skiptrace” film. If it’s on IMDB and then we’re clear. [Laughter] It’s “Skiptrace” with Jackie Chan and we’re working on it right now. I’m really excited for that as well.

Latino-Review: Let me wrap this up. Could you talk about any other projects you’re doing for yourself?

Eva Torres Gracie: I still work in my husband’s business at the Gracies Academy. I’m teaching women’s self-defense. It’s a big part of my life. Everything I do is with teaching self-defense to women at the Air Force and at the academy or in the acting world. Between those two it had been keeping me pretty busy.

For anyone who wants to check out the self-defense program, it’s graciewomenempowered.com.

Latino-Review: Terrific. I appreciate this conversation. Good luck with all of your future endeavors.

Eva Torres Gracie: Great! Thanks so much, Gig.

“Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power” is available for digital download and Blu-ray today.

Source: Latino-Review