Zac Efron Iron Claw Training: Most Challenging Thing He's Ever Done

Zac Efron and his co-stars trained hard to become professional wrestlers for their new film, with help from a legend.

In an exclusive behind-the-scenes video, the actors and director of A24's biographical drama discuss how they trained for the film. The movie stars Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, and Harris Dickinson as three brothers in the famous Von Erich wrestling dynasty whose lives are beset by tragedy. Director Sean Durkin recruited real-life wrestling legend Chavo Guerrero, Jr. to train the cast like actual fighters in order to prepare them for the dramatic stunts they would be required to perform while playing professional wrestlers.

Guerrero explains that all the wrestling in the movie is done by the actors themselves, emphasizing that wrestling is a lot more real than people think. He had the actors practice their moves on him first before rehearsing their fights together, ensuring that they were fully prepared for the physical demands of their roles.

Harris Dickinson, who plays David Von Erich, found it to be a "surreal" experience to learn from the pro and gained a huge amount of respect for the world of wrestling because of the discipline and sacrifices involved. Zac Efron, known for transforming his body for roles, found rehearsing real wrestling moves to be one of the most challenging things he's ever done physically, often leaving the set with bruises.

Jeremy Allen White, who plays Kerry Von Erich, joked about the realism of the training, particularly the hardness of the wrestling ring. Despite the physical challenges, he acknowledges that the rehearsals helped him connect with his co-stars and create the on-screen chemistry and brotherly bond they needed.

Guerrero believes that the time the three actors spent physically embodying their roles helped them become the Von Erich brothers, creating a sense of magic and teamwork. The exclusive video provides an inside look at the dedication and hard work that went into preparing for the film, showcasing the actors' commitment to their roles and the authenticity of the wrestling scenes.