Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White are gearing up for their roles in the wrestling ring after intense training at the gym.
The recently released trailer for A24’s upcoming sports biopic, “The Iron Claw,” directed by Sean Durkin, features Efron as wrestler Kevin Von Erich, known as the Golden Warrior, a prominent member of the famous Von Erich wrestling dynasty. White stars alongside him as Kerry Von Erich, Kevin’s brother who also competed in the heavyweight division. Holt McCallany portrays Fritz Von Erich, their father and a three-time world champion. The film delves into the lives of these family members and depicts the rise and fall of this influential wrestling dynasty. The cast also includes Lily James, Maura Tierney, Harris Dickinson, and Stanley Simons.
Leading up to the trailer release, the film had already generated significant attention due to Efron and White’s remarkable physical transformations for their respective roles. Photos of Efron’s physique and his Von Erich-inspired bowl cut became a source of humor on social media, and White aimed to gain 40 pounds of muscle for his character, as revealed in an interview with GQ.
While Zac Efron is renowned for his roles in musicals and comedies, “The Iron Claw” represents his latest venture into dramatic biopics, following his portrayal of Ted Bundy in “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile.” Jeremy Allen White is well-known for his beloved television characters, particularly his role as Philip Gallagher in Showtime’s “Shameless” and his recent portrayal of the chef Carmy Berzato in FX’s “The Bear.”
Writer-director Sean Durkin has built a reputation for critically acclaimed psychological dramas, with notable works such as “The Nest” and “Martha Marcy May Marlene,” both of which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
While the Von Erich family achieved numerous wrestling championships, their personal lives were marked by a series of tragic events, with five of Fritz’s six sons passing away before the age of 33, including three who died by suicide.
“The Iron Claw” is a collaborative production of A24, BBC Films, House Productions, and Access Entertainment. It is set to hit theaters on December 22.
Watch the trailer below.
