In a recent interview with The Associated Press, actor Zac Efron opened up about the emotional toll of his latest role in the film "The Iron Claw". Efron, known for his muscular physique, shared how he had transformed both physically and psychologically to portray professional wrestler Kevin Von Erich. He revealed that the role had taken a toll on him, with real bruises from recreating fights in the ring and long hours spent lifting weights during downtime.
However, it was during the filming of a pivotal scene with co-star Lily James that Efron realized the extent of his emotional exhaustion. In the scene, Efron's character opens up about the tragic death of his oldest brother at a young age. James' character, Pam, responds by offering him a much-needed and unconditional hug. Efron described the moment as "very needed" and expressed how it was the first time he had embraced someone without any physical aggression involved.
The film, directed by Sean Durkin, delves into the lives of the Von Erich family, often referred to as the Kennedys of wrestling. The story primarily focuses on the relationship between Kevin's brothers, as well as their father, Fritz, a wrestler who sought greatness for his family. Durkin made the decision to omit the youngest brother, Chris, from the film, but Kevin expressed his desire for audiences to understand the deep love shared between the brothers.
Durkin, a lifelong wrestling fan, was drawn to exploring themes of American masculinity, trauma, and grief, as well as Kevin's relationship with Pam. He found limited information about Pam's life outside of Kevin's account, which provided an opportunity for creative storytelling. Durkin decided to write and develop the story before reaching out to the real-life subjects.
James joined the project later on and shared her excitement about working with Efron. The pair quickly established a natural chemistry on set, which translated into their performances. Durkin preferred filming long, uninterrupted takes, allowing the actors to immerse themselves in the scenes without distractions. Efron explained that after a few minutes, they would forget about the presence of the camera, allowing for authentic and powerful performances.
The hug scene between Efron and James provided a cathartic moment for Kevin's character, who had been taught to withhold his emotions in real life. Efron described the experience as overwhelming but also emphasized how it felt close to his character and brought out a personal connection within him. His committed performance in the film earned him high praise, and Durkin emphasized the importance of Efron's core kindness and sweetness as a person in portraying the silent role effectively.
Despite the emotional intensity of the film, Efron and James also enjoyed some lighthearted moments during the production, such as line dancing at Kevin and Pam's wedding. James revealed that the scene was one of the coolest things she had ever done on camera, while Efron expressed his surprise at her dance skills.
Overall, the filming of "The Iron Claw" was a transformative experience for both actors. Efron admitted that it rekindled something inside him and deepened his love for the filmmaking process. He also highlighted the importance of addressing and processing repressed emotions, noting that it was a personal journey he had embarked on throughout his career and life.
