From a ‘High School Musical‘ sweetheart to jarringly buff wrestler, Zac Efron is showing versatility we rarely see in today’s day and age.
He stars as Kevin Von Erich in The Iron Claw, a fresh film based on the true story of the Von Erich family’s wrestling dynasty which helped grow professional wrestling in the 1960s.
This reenactment of real-life events will portray how the Von Erich family popularised the ‘iron claw’ hold.
The film is set to be released in prime award-winning season, according to the latest reports.
As hype builds towards this juggernaut production, here’s everything you need to know about The Iron Claw before as its release nears.
When does The Iron Claw hit cinemas?
January 18, 2024
The Iron Claw is in cinemas down under mid-January, including at Hoyts, after initially expected to come out before Christmas. But it sounds like it’s worth the wait.
The world premiere was in Dallas on November 8.
The UK’s release date is a few weeks later; February 9, 2024.
The Iron Claw trailer
Here’s our first look at Efron in The Iron Claw:
The Iron Claw cast
Produced by A24, The Iron Claw hosts a star-studded lineup alongside Efron, with Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Stanley Simons, Maura Tierney, Holt McCallany, Maxwell Jacob Friedman and Lily James.
More on The Iron Claw
Attention around the film so far has understandably centred on how Efron was able to mould and sculpt his body the way that he has. Even the real Kevin Von Erich has been full of praise for Efron, commending his commitment to the role and stating that he doesn’t think he ever looked that good!
And interest in wrestling itself seems to be hitting an all-time high in Australia, as a premium live WWE event down under creeps closer. It wouldn’t be a shock to see additional interest around wrestling and this film complement each other in the near future.
Is it based on a true story?
The Iron Claw is based off real-life events in the 1960s, surrounding wrestling family the Von Erichs, who popularised the specific move that the film is named after.
Following the career and lives of the Von Erich brothers, of which Zac Efron plays Kevin, the film shows how they deal with the pressures of stardom, as well as their unusual amount of bad luck.
The trailer gives us our first glimpse into the movie’s depiction of the gritty environment of wrestling at the time and the connection between the Von Erich brothers.
Although their bond together is strong, the impact of their father is immeasurable; the film will show the controlling nature of Fritz (their father) that proves too severe in the end. Tragedy after tragedy will strike, despite success and glory.
What have the Von Erich’s said about the film?
Kevin Von Erich who Zac Efron plays in The Iron Claw has been thrilled with Efron’s commitment to the role and dedication to looking the part.
He even joked that he thinks Efron looks better than he ever did in his wrestling days.
“I saw a picture of the guy and he looked great,” said Von Erich.
“I don’t think I ever looked that good, so I think they’re going to do great. I’ll bet they do.”
“I’ll tell ya…for the picture that they showed me at first and the picture they showed me the other day, he must really be working out hard, because you’re right. He Does have a good body.”
Official synopsis:
Follows the story of the Von Erichs, a dynasty of wrestlers who made a great impact on the sport from the 1960s to the present day.
What are critics saying?
The Iron Claw is a “powerfully emotional movie with some outstanding acting in support of a very sad real-life story,” according to Rotten Tomatoes.
