Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White have both been training in the gym, and now they’re ready to step into the wrestling ring.
The trailer for A24’s upcoming sports biopic “The Iron Claw,” starring Efron and White, has just been unveiled. Directed by Sean Durkin, the film follows Efron as wrestler Kevin Von Erich, or the Golden Warrior, a member of the famed Von Erich wrestling dynasty.
White co-stars as Kerry Von Erich, Kevin’s brother who also competed in the heavyweight division. Holt McCallany stars as Fritz Von Erich, Kevin and Kerry’s father who was a three-time world champion.
The film explores the family members’ lives and will depict the rise and fall of the influential wrestling family. It also stars Lily James, Maura Tierney, Harris Dickinson and Stanley Simons.
Prior to the release of the trailer, the film had already garnered attention as both Efron and White gained noticeable muscle for their respective roles. Photos that revealed both Efron’s physique and his Von Erich-inspired bowl cut prompted jokes across social media platforms, and White told GQ that he aimed to put on 40 pounds of muscle for this role.
While Efron was once associated with musicals and comedies, this marks his latest dramatic biopic following his role in “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile,” in which he starred as Ted Bundy.
White, on the other hand, is best known for playing beloved characters on television, first as Philip Gallagher in 11 seasons of Showtime’s “Shameless,” and most recently as the tortured yet endearing chef Carmy Berzato in FX’s smash hit “The Bear.”
Writer-director Durkin is known for his critically acclaimed psychological dramas, including “The Nest” and “Martha Marcy May Marlene,” both of which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. While the Von Erichs are known for championships in the world of wrestling, the family’s personal lives were also marked by a succession of tragedies, with five of Fritz’s six sons dying before the age of 33, including three who died by suicide.
“The Iron Claw” is produced by A24, BBC Films, House Productions, and Access Entertainment. It will be released in theaters Dec. 22.
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