Diksia.com - The Iron Claw is an upcoming biographical film that tells the story of the Von Erich family, a legendary wrestling dynasty that rose to fame and glory in the 1980s, but also faced tragic losses and personal struggles.
The film stars Zac Efron as Kevin Von Erich, the only surviving son of Fritz Von Erich, the patriarch of the family and the creator of the signature move “The Iron Claw”.
The film also features Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Holt McCallany, and Lily James in supporting roles. The film is directed by Sean Durkin, who previously helmed the critically acclaimed films Martha Marcy May Marlene and The Nest.
The Plot of The Iron Claw
The film follows the rise and fall of the Von Erich brothers, who were trained by their father Fritz to become professional wrestlers. The brothers, Jack, Kevin, David, Kerry, Mike, and Chris, became popular and successful in the wrestling world, especially in their home state of Texas. They were known for their charisma, athleticism, and loyalty to each other.
However, they also had to deal with the pressure of living up to their father’s expectations, the competition from other wrestlers, and the dark side of fame and fortune. The film depicts the tragic deaths of five of the brothers, who died from various causes such as electrocution, drug overdose, and suicide.
The film also explores the impact of these tragedies on the surviving brother, Kevin, who had to cope with the grief and guilt of losing his siblings.
The Cast and Crew of The Iron Claw
The film boasts a talented cast of actors who portray the Von Erich family and their associates. Zac Efron, who is best known for his roles in High School Musical, The Greatest Showman, and Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, plays the role of Kevin Von Erich, the eldest and only surviving son of Fritz Von Erich.
Efron underwent a physical transformation to play the role of a wrestler, gaining muscle mass and sporting long hair and a beard. He also learned how to perform wrestling moves and stunts for the film.
Jeremy Allen White, who is famous for his role as Lip Gallagher in Shameless, plays the role of David Von Erich, the third son of Fritz Von Erich and the most promising wrestler of the family.
David was considered to be the heir apparent of the Von Erich dynasty, but he died unexpectedly in Japan in 1984, at the age of 25. His death was a huge shock to the wrestling industry and the fans, and sparked many rumors and speculations about the cause of his death.
Harris Dickinson, who starred in Beach Rats, Trust, and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, plays the role of Kerry Von Erich, the fourth son of Fritz Von Erich and the most popular wrestler of the family. Kerry was known for his good looks, charisma, and athletic ability. He won several championships and accolades, including the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
He also had a brief stint in WWE, where he was known as The Texas Tornado. However, he also struggled with drug addiction, depression, and personal problems. He lost his right foot in a motorcycle accident in 1986, but continued to wrestle with a prosthetic foot. He committed suicide in 1993, at the age of 33.
Holt McCallany, who is known for his roles in Mindhunter, Fight Club, and The Losers, plays the role of Fritz Von Erich, the father of the Von Erich brothers and the founder of the World Class Championship Wrestling promotion. Fritz was a successful wrestler and promoter, who created the iconic move “The Iron Claw”, which he passed on to his sons.
He was also a strict and demanding father, who pushed his sons to follow his footsteps and achieve greatness in the wrestling business. He had to endure the pain of losing five of his six sons, and died in 1997, at the age of 68.
Lily James, who is famous for her roles in Cinderella, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, and Yesterday, plays the role of Doris Adkisson, the wife of Fritz Von Erich and the mother of the Von Erich brothers.
Doris was a supportive and loving wife and mother, who stood by her husband and sons through their highs and lows. She also had to cope with the grief and trauma of losing her children, and tried to keep the family together.
The film is directed by Sean Durkin, who is an acclaimed filmmaker who has won awards and recognition for his previous films. Durkin is known for his realistic and nuanced portrayal of complex and troubled characters, and his ability to create a tense and atmospheric mood.
He also wrote the screenplay for the film, based on the research and interviews he conducted with the surviving members of the Von Erich family and the wrestling community.
The Release Date and Trailer of The Iron Claw
The Iron Claw is scheduled to be released in theaters on December 22, 2023, by A24 and BBC Films. The film is expected to be a powerful and emotional drama that will appeal to both wrestling fans and general audiences. The film will also shed light on the history and culture of professional wrestling, and the challenges and risks that the wrestlers face.
The official trailer for the film was released on November 15, 2023, and has received positive feedback from the viewers. The trailer showcases the performances of the cast, the wrestling scenes, and the dramatic moments of the film.
