The new Wonder Woman, Gal Gadot knows how lucky she is. She is about to step into the boots of one of the most celebrated female superheroes ever.

“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,” Gal Gadot said of playing Wonder Woman.

Even seeing her Wonder Woman costume for the first time blew her away.

“We got into another room and I saw the costume for the first time. And we had a fitting, and it was an out-of-body experience — there I was, little Gal from Israel becoming Wonder Woman.”

While the most commonly recognized version of the Wonder Woman costume is the one worn by Lynda Carter in the hit television series, Gadot says this costume updates things a bit.

.@GalGadot’s #WonderWoman plays a ‘super-important part’ in @BatmanvSuperman, says @ZackSnyder http://t.co/J2tosYeCaI pic.twitter.com/y8LfsB9GQI

— ComingSoon.net (@comingsoonnet) July 3, 2015

“I think it really represents the Wonder Woman of today, I’m very grateful to be the one who is going to bring her to life,” Gadot says.

Of course, Gadot was not just dropped into the role of Wonder Woman off the street. She has paid her dues in the Fast & Furious film series. In those films, director Justin Lin cast her as Gisele Yashar. Gadot performed all her own stunts in those films, and impressed Lin with her ability to handle weapons.

That is because Gal Gadot knows her way around a gun. As an Israeli national, she was required to do a stint in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). In the IDF all citizens are conscripted when they come of service age, including women.

“The army wasn’t that difficult for me,” the new Wonder Woman has said. “The military gave me good training for Hollywood.”

Gal Gadot spoke at Comic-Con about the experience of being Wonder Woman.

“All the clichés are right,” Gadot said. “I really believe now that it doesn’t matter where you come from… if you’re persistent and if you’re good, if you’re trying your best and being proactive.”

Our #WonderWoman, @GalGadot, greets a young fan. #BatmanvSuperman #JesseEisenberg #JeremyIrons pic.twitter.com/wWfw0X93b7

— Batman v Superman (@BatmanvSuperman) July 11, 2015