Ana de la Reguera’s first opportunity to act in the U.S. came when she played Sister Encarnación, a nun at an orphanage who catches the eye of Jack Black’s monk-turned-luchador character in the 2006 comedy “Nacho Libre.”



Since making her American film debut, de la Reguera, 32, has worked mostly on Spanish-language projects in México, Argentina and Colombia, including films such as “Sultanes de Sur” with Jordi Mollá (“Ché: Part Two”) and “Paraíso Travel” with John Leguizamo.



Now, de la Reguera stars in her second American comedy “Cop Out,” alongside Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan. In the film, de la Reguera plays Gabriela, a woman who escapes from a group of killers in México and ends up under the protection of two New York City cops (Willis and Morgan). The film is directed by Kevin Smith (“Zach and Miri Make a Porno”, “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back”).



During an interview with EXTRA, de la Reguera, who was born in Veracruz, México, talked about why it was hard not to laugh during the shoot and what she added to the script to make her character a bit more mischievous. “Cop Out” opens nationwide on Feb. 26.



EXTRA: Have you been looking forward to the next opportunity to star in an American movie since your last one was four years ago?

Ana de la Reguera: Yes, but I love my career in México too. I’ve been doing amazing projects there. I work all over the place. I choose things I like and things I can do well. I’ve been trying to get more opportunities in the U.S. This was my next big one.



Was it a lot different only speaking Spanish in “Cop Out” since everyone ...