‘The military trained me for Hollywood’: Gal Gadot talks serving in the Israeli army… and playing ‘symbol of strength’ Wonder Woman

Gal Gadot stuns on the cover of the August issue of FASHION magazine and opens up about her background growing up in Israel.
The actress – who serves as a soldier with the Israeli Defense Forces for two years – reveals how the military prepared her for showbiz.
The striking 30-year-old beauty explained: ‘But the army wasn’t that difficult for me. The military gave me good training for Hollywood.’
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Army girl: Gal Gadot is the cover star on FASHION magazine for the August issue and talks about how her military background prepared her for the big time
Army girl: Gal Gadot is the cover star on FASHION magazine for the August issue and talks about how her military background prepared her for the big time
Gal has previously said she impressed Fast & Furious director Justin Lin in 2008 with her knowledge of weapons and also performed her own stunts in the three movies she appeared in for the franchise.
Military service is mandatory for both men and woman over the age of 18 in Israel but not everyone takes it in their stride like Gal did.
Fellow Israeli and swimsuit model Bar Refaeli, 30, caused controversy in 2007 when she avoided enlisting in the IDF.
Refaeli later revealed, ‘I don’t regret not enlisting, because it paid off big time. That’s just the way it is: celebrities have other needs. I hope my case has influenced the army.’

Stunning beauty: In one of the shots Gal is seen in a stylish floppy hat and collarless jacket
Stunning beauty: In one of the shots Gal is seen in a stylish floppy hat and collarless jacket

The Isreali beauty is photographed for the August issue which hits newsstands on July 13
The Isreali beauty is photographed for the August issue which hits newsstands on July 13
Meanwhile, Gal – a former Miss Israel – is preparing to play the lead in the 2017’s Wonder Woman and revealed to the magazine how excited she is to don the superhero costume.
‘She is the ultimate symbol of strength. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d grow up to be in a movie playing someone who influenced as many women as she has.’
The mother-of-one also plays the crime-fighting heroine in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice alongside Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill which will be released in March 2016.
It will be the first time the character has been portrayed on the big screen in its seventy year history.

Gal has been married to Israeli businessman Yaron Varsano since 2008 and they share a three-year-old daughter, Alma, together.

On juggling her work and family life, Gal reflected: ‘Nowadays being a woman is hard, because we have to be the best wife, best mother, best worker, best everything!
‘But I truly believe we are more empowered… we’re also stronger, sophisticated and can achieve what we want. That’s what I would like my daughter to know.’

Heroine: Gal plays Wonder Woman in 2016's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice alongside Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill. Her superhero character will then take centre stage in upcoming action flick Wonder Woman due for release in June 2017
Heroine: Gal plays Wonder Woman in 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice alongside Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill. Her superhero character will then take centre stage in upcoming action flick Wonder Woman due for release in June 2017
Gal stars in upcoming Criminal alongside Ryan Reynolds and Kevin Costner – which opens in January 2016.
‘We had a very heartbreaking scene between my character and [Costner’s]. Both of them were just breaking down barriers. It was very emotional. I was crying all day long.’
The brunette beauty plays Ryan Reynold’s wife in the drama while Costner, 60, plays a dangerous criminal with a dead CIA operative’s skills, secrets and memories implanted into him to finish a job.
Does her own stunts: The actress - pictured in 2013 - has starred in three Fast & Furious films 
Does her own stunts: The actress – pictured in 2013 – has starred in three Fast & Furious films

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