The legacy of the Von Erichs casts a long, dark cloud over the world of professional wrestling. Once a promising wrestling dynasty during the sport’s early golden era, the Von Erichs were beset by a relentless string of tragedies.
A24 has just unveiled the first trailer for “The Iron Claw,” a wrestling biopic directed by Sean Durkin, delving into the tumultuous history of the Von Erich family. The film features Zac Efron as Kevin Von Erich, the eldest surviving son of Fritz Von Erich, portrayed by Holt McCallany. Fritz was a top wrestling star in the 1960s and the owner and promoter of World Class Championship Wrestling. He elevated Kevin and his brothers Kerry (Jeremy Allen White), David (Harris Dickinson), and Mike (Stanley Simons) to become the promotion’s biggest draws. By 1993, Kevin was the only surviving member of his generation of Von Erichs.
Directed by Sean Durkin, “The Iron Claw” dives deep into the legend, the promise, and the tragedy of the Von Erich family. The trailer offers a nostalgic glimpse into the Texas wrestling scene of the 1970s and 1980s, just before Vince McMahon’s WWE (formerly WWF) dominated the wrestling landscape and when many of the country’s most popular wrestlers shared a common last name.
However, “The Iron Claw” doesn’t seem to shy away from depicting the physical and mental toll endured by these performers as they grapple with the pressure of staging predetermined matches. Fritz Von Erich’s iron-handed training methods pitted his sons against each other to draw crowds, and by the end of the 1980s, the family’s promise had all but crumbled.
