Zac Efron appears ridiculously jacked as wrestler Kevin Von Erich in new set photos from A24's The Iron Claw.
The Daily Mail published candid behind-the-scenes photos of the former High School Musical star in between takes at his trailer on the Louisiana film set. Efron was seen completely tanned, ripped and wearing only a towel with flip-flops. Additionally, Efron is seen sporting a wig of Von Erich's signature bowl hairstyle.
The tale of the Von Erich family is defined by their triumphs in the ring, and the tragedies they faced outside of it. The patriarch of the family, Fritz Von Erich (real name Jack Barton Adkisson Sr.), was a major heel known for his "Iron Claw" submission maneuver in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) during the 1950s and 1960s. He went on to become the owner of World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), where his sons became some of the promotion's top stars.
Despite the Von Erichs' successes in WCCW, tragedy followed them at every turn. Fritz's firstborn son, Jack Adkisson Jr., tragically died accidentally at the age of 6 in 1959. David Von Erich unexpectedly died of Acute Enteritis in 1984 at the age of 25 while on a tour with All Japan Pro Wrestling. Mike Von Erich died by suicide in 1987 at the age of 23, with Chris Von Erich also taking his own life in 1991 at the age of 21.
The most successful of the brothers was Kerry Von Erich, who defeated Ric Flair for the NWA title in 1984. In 1990, Kerry archived greater fame as the Texas Tornado in the WWF (now known as WWE), where he defeated Mr. Perfect for the Intercontinental title. But a motorcycle accident that cost him his right foot four years earlier would shorten his in-ring career, and he eventually took his own life in 1993. Kevin Von Erich, the last surviving member of his generation and the only one of his brothers to outlive their father, told his family story in the 2019 Dark Side of the Ring episode "The Last of the Von Erichs."
In addition to Efron as Kevin, A24's The Iron Claw stars Jeremy Allen White as Kerry Von Erich and Harris Dickinson as David Von Erich. Sean Durkin, whose previous work includes Martha Marcy May Marlene and the upcoming The Nest, serves as The Iron Claw's writer and director. "I'm very excited about this one," Durkin said when the film was announced. "It's another family portrait, about a wrestling family who revolutionized the sport and then suffered tragedy."
The Iron Claw does not have a release date.
Source: The Daily Mail, via Twitter