The 'Von Erich' family movie to be released this December starring Zac Efron
A24 will release “The Iron Claw,” a sports drama starring Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White, in theaters around Christmas.
The film will debut nationwide on Dec. 22, sharing a release date with a very different kind of family film, Universal and Illumination’s animated comedy “Migration.” Jason Momoa’s superhero sequel “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” (Dec. 20) is expected to hit the big screen a few days prior, while the glitzy musical adaptation of “The Color Purple” (Dec. 25) is slated to arrive a little later.
Despite its prime awards season release, “The Iron Claw” is currently in post-production and isn’t expected to make the rounds at film festivals.
Sean Durkin (“Martha Marcy May Marlene”) wrote and directed “The Iron Claw,” which tells the tragic, true story of the Von Erich family, a dynasty of professional wrestlers who made history in the intensely competitive sport in the early 1980s. The brothers had to battle inside the ring, but outside they were plagued with a series of tragedies that became known as the “Von Erich curse.”
A24 also released a new still from “The Iron Claw” which features a tender moment from the beefed-up brothers. Their muscular look has been a source of intrigue on the internet. Earlier this year, a picture of Efron in the boxing ring had gone viral due to his jacked body. Meanwhile White, of “The Bear” fame, says he gained 40 pounds of muscle for the role.
A24 financed and produced the film with House Productions. It is co-financed by Access Entertainment and BBC Film.
Actor Zac Efron will be star as Kevin Von Erich in the film. Kevin is the lead character in the film.
Jeremy Allen White of FX's The Bear will play former NWA World Champion Kerry Von Erich.
Harris Dickinson, recently seen in Where the Crawdads Sing, is set to play David Von Erich in the film.
Holt McCallany (Mindhunter, the next Mission Impossible film starring Tom Cruise) has been cast as Von Erich family patriarch Fritz Von Erich.
Maura Tierney will play Doris Von Erich, matriarch of the Von Erich family.
AEW's MJF will play Lance Von Erich.
Former NWA World Champion Ric Flair will be played by Aaron Dean Eisneberg (HBO's The Deuce).
Michael Hayes will be played by Brady Pierce, who has appeared on NWA TV and AEW Dark in the past.
Terry Gordy will be played by NWA star Thrillbilly Silas.
Buddy Roberts will be played by Danny Flamingo from Wildkat Wrestling in New Orleans.
Bruiser Brody will be played by Cazzey Louis Cereghino.
Gino Hernandez will be played by AEW's Ryan Nemeth.
Chavo Guerrero worked as the stunt coordinator and filmed scenes as The Original Sheik for the film.
Kevin Von Erich and his family have no current involvement in the film in any way, shape or form, but Kevin has spoken about looking forward to the project when it is released.
