Zac Efron looks nearly unrecognizable while filming his new movie The Iron Claw. The upcoming A24 film tells story of the Von Erichs, the real-life famous wrestling family that have remained prominent in the sport since the 1960s. Efron stars in The Iron Claw, leading a star-studded cast including Lily James and Jeremy Allen White.Sean Durkin is directing The Iron Claw, a drama featuring Efron as Kevin Von Erich, the only surviving son of pro-wrestler Fritz Von Erich, patriarch of the wrestling dynasty who rose to fame in the 1950s and 60s. The Bear's Jeremy Allen White will portray Kevin's brother Kerry, while Maura Tierney is set to appear as their mother Doris Von Erich, and Mindhunter's Holt McCallany with Fritz Von Erich. "The Iron Claw" is a reference to the signature finishing hold made famous by Fritz, and which was subsequently used by all of his wrestler children.
Recent photos of Efron filming The Iron Claw released by the Daily Mail reveal the actor's jaw-dropping physical transformation for his upcoming role. Efron is spotted entering his trailer wearing only a towel around his waist, showing off significant muscle gains underneath a golden tan while also sporting a retro bowl-cut hairstyle.
Zac Efron's New Look Explained
This isn't the first time the actor has changed his physique for a role. Efron recently made comments about his appearance in the 2017 film Baywatch and the toll that body transformation took on both his mental and physical health. Back in September, the actor recalled how the "unattainable" level of fitness he'd achieved led to depression and insomnia. Despite the negative experience, his role in The Iron Claw seems to be worth the risk, as Efron emulates Kevin Von Erich's bulging physique at the peak of the wrestler's career in the 1970s and 80s. At 6 foot 3 inches and weighing in at 222 lbs, Von Erich once held the WCWA World Heavyweight Championship.
Efron has shown he isn't afraid of a challenge when it comes to his acting career. The actor has made some bold choices in his career since High School Musical, making efforts to stray from the innocent teen idol image with dark roles in films including The Paperboy and as serial killer Ted Bundy in Netflix's Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. So far, The Iron Claw promises to show yet another side of the versatile actor. The movie is currently shooting in Louisiana and Efron has yet to comment on his drastic transformation.
Source: Daily Mail