Toxic masculinity and wrestling: Zac Efron on his role in The Iron Claw
Directed by Sean Durkin, The Iron Claw takes inspiration from the lives of the Von Erichs – a renowned professional wrestling family in the US.
The A24 film centres on wrestling, of course, but also takes a deep dive into the impact of toxic masculinity and the refusal to examine emotions.
“That’s one of the things that Sean spoke about early on in this process that drew me to the story”, Zac Efron says.
The 36-year-old actor plays Kevin in the film – the oldest of the Von Erich siblings who has dedicated his life to professional wrestling under his father’s wing.
Efron adds: “Examining it, whatever you want to call it, being a guy is hard to do and I think Sean really accomplished it with this movie.”
His performance has been widely acclaimed by critics but he failed to pick up any nominations at the Oscars, Golden Globes or BAFTAs.
Zac Efron in The Iron Claw. Pic: Brian Roedel/A24
Despite this, The Greatest Showman actor is glad that it’s resonating with audiences.
“I think everyone’s going to walk away moved or feeling in some capacity – and that’s everything,” he says.
Sean Durkin, who previously wrote and directed Martha Marcy May Marlene starring Elizabeth Olsen and Sarah Paulson, also penned the script and led production on The Iron Claw.
The idea was sparked from his “all-consuming” love for professional wrestling when he was younger.
The 42-year-old says the Von Erich brothers “revolutionised wrestling” but their fictionalised family story showcases an “extremely misguided expression of masculinity that has harmed our culture in ways we are only just beginning to understand”.
Drawing similarities from the real family, the Von Erichs in The Iron Claw are dedicated to their craft.
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Harris Dickinson, Zac Efron, Stanley Simons, Jeremy Allen White (left to right). Pic: Eric Chakeen/a24
Fritz Von Erich, the patriarch played by Holt McCallany, holds onto the possibility of his family winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship belt. This overpowering desire for success blinds him to the devastating misfortunes that unfold within his household.
The director calls the wrestling drama a “true Greek tragedy” that is about family at its heart.
He says: “I think my favourite reaction is often that people leave the cinema, and they call their brother or sister.”
Unthinkable losses occur in the film – the storyline echoing true unfortunate events that occurred in the family.
And although The Iron Claw depicts five Von Erich brothers, in truth, there were six.
Between 1959 and 1995, five of the six siblings – Kerry, David, Chris, Mike and Jack Jr – had died suddenly and soon the family became synonymous with the rumoured “Von Erich curse”.
Kevin Von Erich, the only surviving sibling, rejects the idea of a curse but showed his support for the film by attending the Los Angeles premiere.
Speaking on Chris Jericho’s podcast in December, the now 66-year-old reiterated that the film is made for entertainment and that despite his dad being seen as “pretty rank” in the film, “he was an honourable, good man”.
The Von Erich family were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009.
The Iron Claw is in cinemas now.
Oasis have said they are “shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of a fan” at their Wembley Stadium concert on Saturday.
Together with their bandmates, Liam and Noel Gallagher have offered their “sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person involved”.
Metropolitan Police said officers on duty at the stadium responded, alongside venue medics and the London Ambulance Service, to reports a person had been injured at around 10.20pm.
The statement continued: “A man – aged in his 40s – was found with injuries consistent with a fall. He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.”
According to media reports, the man fell from the stadium’s upper tier.
A concertgoer on social media said they saw the incident and described it as “horrific”.
Liam and Noel Gallagher on stage at their first reunion gig. Pic: AP
Metropolitan Police said: “The stadium was busy, and we believe it is likely a number of people witnessed the incident, or may knowingly or unknowingly have caught it on mobile phone video footage.
“If you have any information that could help us to confirm what happened, please call 101.”
Oasis performed at the venue as planned on Sunday night, delivering the final concert of a five-night run at Wembley.
Addressing fans at the stadium, singer Liam said: “This one’s for all the people who can’t be here tonight, but who are here if you know what I mean, and aren’t they looking lovely. Live Forever.”
The band then played the track of the same name.
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Oasis support act Richard Ashcroft paid tribute on Instagram, writing: “I was shocked to hear of the death of one of the audience last night sending my love to the family and friends.”
A spokesperson for Wembley Stadium said: “Our thoughts go out to his family, who have been informed and are being supported by specially trained police officers.”
They will then head to Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the United States, before returning to Wembley for two more dates in September.
The reunion tour began at the start of July and marks the Gallagher brothers’ first performances together since Oasis split acrimoniously in 2009.
The BBC has responded after it was reported that two Strictly Come Dancing stars have been accused of taking cocaine.
The broadcaster is said to have hired an external law firm to probe the drug-taking allegations, which a source said were “well-known” on the show, The Sun on Sunday reports.
The claims were reportedly made on behalf of celebrity contestant Wynne Evans in a legal submission to the BBC in March.
In response, a BBC spokesperson told Sky News: “We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns.
“It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.”
Sky News understands that it is not unusual for the BBC to engage an external individual to provide additional expert resource to help deliver a BBC-led investigation. In these cases, they would report to an established BBC team.
PA file pic
The allegations published in The Sun on Sunday include a source saying that one Strictly star had told another about a third celebrity on the show: “Have you seen their pupils… they’re off their face.”
“The BBC have known about these allegations for some time, and acknowledged receiving them. Now they are taking firm action,” the source reportedly said.
The two individuals accused of drug taking have not been named.
It is the latest crisis to hit the BBC and Strictly.
In July last year, Amanda Abbington accused Strictly dancer Giovanni Pernice of “abusive or threatening behaviour”. The actress, who was paired with Pernice, withdrew from the show in 2023.
The BBC upheld “some, but not all” of the allegations, with Abbington describing an apology from the corporation as a “vindication”, while Pernice denied displaying “abusive or threatening behaviour”.
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Also in July 2024, Strictly professional dancer, Graziano Di Prima confirmed he was leaving the show amid reports of alleged misconduct.
Separately, Laura Whitmore alleged “inappropriate behaviour” during her time on the show.
In January this year, Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans made “inappropriate and unacceptable” comments at the Strictly Come Dancing live tour launch, for which he later apologised.
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