The Von Erich family is one of the most celebrated, storied and tragic dynasties in professional wrestling history. Now, their remarkable – and short – run is ready to move from the legend of the ring to the prestige of the big screen, as the trailer for The Iron Claw has debuted.
In the trailer for The Iron Claw — which just jumped even higher than it was on my list of most anticipated movies of the year — we see the drive, struggles and “curse” of the Von Erich family as they face opponents in and demons out of the ring.
The Iron Claw’s official synopsis, as per A24: “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.”
The Iron Claw stars Zac Efron as Kevin, Jeremy Allen White as Kerry, Harris Dickinson as David, and Stanley Simons as Mike, Holt McCallany as patriarch Fritz, and Maura Tierney as mother Doris.
Despite in-ring skills, a wealth of championships and a truly captivating presence, the Von Erich family is, unfortunately, best known for the tragedy that surrounds them. In 1984, David died at 25 from still-debated reasons; three years later, Mike overdosed at the age of 23; in 1991, Chris committed suicide at just 21; and in 1993, the 33-year-old Kerry also shot himself. Fritz would outlive most of his sons, passing away in 1997 at 68. Kevin is now 66. All of this and more was the focus of a season one episode of Dark Side of the Ring and will no doubt serve as the spine of The Iron Claw.
In 2019, the clan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by Fabulous Freebird Michael Hayes, who is also represented in the movie. Other wrestling legends to be depicted are Harley Race, Bruiser Brody and Ric Flair, who revealed he wants to one day have Bradley Cooper play him in a biopic of his own.
Directed by Sean Durkin (Martha Marcy May Marlene), The Iron Claw hits the squared circle — the cinema, that is — on December 22nd.
What did you think of the trailer for The Iron Claw? Do you think it looks like a compelling version of the Von Erich family? Let us know in the comments section below!