Supermodel and actress Tanit Phoenix might be fairly new to the Hollywood spotlight, but she’s quickly becoming a name on everyone’s radar.

Originally from South Africa, Phoenix is on a short list of actresses for a future movie role as DC Comics super heroine Wonder Woman. Her name has also been linked to rumors about the casting of Catwoman for Christopher Nolan’s next Batman film “The Dark Knight Rises.”

Currently, Phoenix, 30, is doing publicity for her most recent movie “Death Race 2,” which will be released on DVD and Blu-ray Jan. 18. In the film, she plays Katrina Banks, an ex-military sniper who is sent to prison for killing a superior officer.

“Making this movie was sexy, dangerous and mysterious,” Phoenix tells EXTRA. “You get to see what Katrina is all about when she pulls a machine gun off of a Mustang and blows up the car behind her.”

Phoenix also talks about holding her own with a mostly male cast and what it would be like to be cast as an iconic comic book character.

What led you to acting from modeling and how did you get involved with “Death Race 2?”
I’ve wanted to be an actress since I was six years old. It wasn’t an easy thing to do coming from South Africa. Over time, more films started shooting there. I started campaigning for bigger roles. That’s how I got the role in “Death Race 2.” They created my character by combining two other characters. I went into the audition really wanting this role.

What was it like on a set with a cast full of men and the testosterone levels flowing high?
It was easy! I grew up with boys. I was a tomboy. It was like walking onto a ...