Gal Gadot is a household name because of her performance as Wonder Woman, but she was on the verge of quitting the industry before obtaining the life-changing role. Gadot recently shared on Instagram how she almost quit acting before being cast as Wonder Woman in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice by director Zack Snyder.

Gadot has established herself as an icon in the DCEU as Wonder Woman, with her standalone picture becoming one of the highest-grossing films of 2017. Given Gadot’s minimal acting experience at the time, many fans were initially suspicious when she was cast. Many fans did not believe she had the body to play Wonder Woman, despite her two years of military duty in the Israel Defense Forces. It’s difficult to fathom anybody else in the character of Wonder Woman now, but it could have happened that Gadot not only didn’t play Wonder Woman, but also left acting for good.

Gal also expressed her excitement for the part ahead of her Batman versus Superman: Dawn of Justice debut, sharing a selfie shot by Justice League director Zack Snyder, and stated she will be “forever grateful” to Snyder for casting her.

“This photo was taken by Zack Snyder on the day I did the camera test for Batman vs Superman with Ben [Affleck],” Gal wrote.

“I came to LA for 30 hours while shooting a movie in Tel Aviv. But I wanted the role of Wonder Woman so much that it was worth the trip.

“I’ll forever be grateful to Zack for casting me and believing that I could bring Diana to life. I had no idea what the future would hold back when this picture was taken – seeing it makes me very nostalgic.

“It’s also proof that everything happens for a reason. I was on the verge of giving up acting… and then this happened.”

Gadot’s career was in a completely different position when she was cast as Wonder Woman in December 2013. Her character Gisele had been murdered in Fast and Furious 6, which was released in the summer of 2013, despite the fact that she had been in the previous three Fast and Furious films. The Fast and Furious franchise would continue, but her role in it would appear to be ended. When you add in the fact that she had recently given birth to a daughter, there were plenty of reasons for her to leave acting behind.

Gadot is now reaping the benefits of being the leading lady of a superhero film, and it’s all thanks to that fateful camera test in Los Angeles.

Gal’s remark comes after news that Snyder’s Justice League cut will be published on the same day in the United States and the United Kingdom.