How Serving in the Israeli Army Helped Prepare 'Batman v Superman's' Gal Gadot to Play Wonder Woman

Gal Gadot tells PEOPLE how her training in the Israeli army helped her prepare for her role in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

Photo: Clay Enos/Warner Bros

Gal Gadot could have never predicted that her time in the Israeli army would actually help prepare her for the role of a lifetime.

The actress, 30, who stars as Wonder Woman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, says her training for the film, “reminded me a lot of my time during army training.”

When looking back on her two years as a combat trainer, Gadot is quick to point out she wishes no country would need an army but says, “Unfortunately, that is not the case, especially in Israel. Part of being Israeli is to go to the army. All my friends went, my parents went and my grandparents went.”

For more on Gadot’s interesting childhood and life now, check out this week’s issue of PEOPLE on stands Friday.

The former Miss Israel is proud of the service she gave her country.

“It’s nice in that way that you give back to society. You give back valued time to the country.”

She’s also extremely proud to be playing a superheroine and as a mother of four-year-old daughter Alma, understands the impact the role has on young fans.

“I am so happy to be the one who is going to tell the Wonder Woman story. It is so important for girls and boys to have a female, strong, superhero to look up to.”