Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White are putting their bodies on full display for “The Iron Claw.” The “High School Musical” icon and “The Bear” breakout star play brothers Kevin and Kerry Von Erich, AKA the Texas Tornado. “Triangle of Sadness” actor Harris Dickinson portrays David Von Erich, with “Mindhunter” star Holt McCallany as Fritz Von Erich, Emmy nominee Maura Tierney as matriarch Doris, and Lily James as Kevin’s wife Pam. Stanley Simons also stars as younger brother Mike Von Erich.
“The Iron Claw” tells the story of the Von Erich family, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early ’80s. Through tragedy and triumph, and under the shadow of their domineering father and coach, the brothers sought larger-than-life immortality on the biggest stage in sports. The A24 biopic, written and directed by “Martha Marcy May Marlene” filmmaker Sean Durkin, is a holiday release set for December.
The trailer reveals just how much the cast beefed up for their roles. “Shameless” alum White revealed that he put on 40 pounds of muscle for the role, thanks to a “gross” diet. “[I was] eating all the time. Like, never stopping,” White told Esquire. “In the morning, I would have waffles, almond butter. In the middle of the day, I was eating turkey patties and avocado all the time. It’s really just gross. You’re trying to consume as much as you possibly can, and, to be honest, you don’t feel great. I was training as well, but, I don’t know, trying to get that big, it’s no way to live.”
White added that co-star Efron was a “maniac” when it came to his own physical transformation. “He’s so focused and knowledgeable on training, diet, all that,” White said. “I think he kind of blew us all out of the water. He looks really amazing in this thing.”
Durkin also produces the film, along with Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell, Angus Lamont from House Productions, and A24. Executive producers are Derrin Schlesinger and Harrison Huffman for House Productions, Len Blavatnik, and Danny Cohen from Access Entertainment, and Eva Yates from BBC Film. “The Iron Claw” was produced by House Productions, with the support of Access Entertainment and BBC Film. A24 financed and produced the film, and it is co-financed by Access Entertainment and BBC Film.
“The Iron Claw” premieres in theaters December 22. Check out the trailer below.
