THE IRON CLAW First Trailer Stars Zac Efron, Holt McCallany And Lily James

By Michelle McCue | October 12, 2023

The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s. Through tragedy and triumph, under the shadow of their domineering father and coach, the brothers seek larger-than-life immortality on the biggest stage in sports.

Starring Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Stanley Simons, Maura Tierney,
with Holt McCallany and Lily James, watch the new trailer.

From University Of North Texas:

The story of the Von Erichs is one of triumph in the ring and also personal tragedy. In April 1984, Sigma Phi Epsilon sponsored a match that was intended to be a homecoming for David after a tour with All Japan Pro Wrestling. Unfortunately, David fell ill during the tour and died on February 10 of acute enteritis. Brothers Kevin and Mike returned to NTSU in his honor in April to defeat their arch-nemeses the Fabulous Freebirds, Terry Gordy and Michael Hayes. The following February, Kevin made a follow-up appearance at the Men’s Gym to defeat “Gentleman” Chris Adams.

Though Mike Von Erich tried to fill the vacancy left by his brother David, his time in the ring would be short. After suffering a serious shoulder injury during a tour in Israel in 1985, Mike was never able to return to the ring at full strength. Kerry was involved in a life-threatening motorcycle accident in 1986 that resulted in the amputation of his right foot. The next year, frustrated by the injury that had forced his retirement, Mike took his own life. The loss of Mike and David weighed heavily upon the family, especially in the shadow of Fritz’s first son, Jack, who had been killed in an electrical accident at a very young age in 1959.

Chris Von Erich, the youngest of Fritz’s sons, began wrestling in 1990. Unfortunately, his small stature and brittle bones meant that he would never achieve the level of success that his father and brothers had enjoyed. On September 12, 1991, Chris took his own life. Two years later, after the loss of four brothers and still struggling with the aftermath of the motorcycle accident, Kerry Von Erich committed suicide as well.

Though a shadow lay over the family after so many tragic losses, the Von Erich tradition survived. The third generation saw Kevin’s sons Ross and Marshall, and Kerry’s daughter Lacey, competing in the Total Non-stop Action Wrestling brand.

Written and Directed by Sean Durkin, look for THE IRON CLAW in cinemas on December 22.