Shedding his boy-next-door Disney persona, Zac Efron has surfaced donning a more muscular look – all in preparation for an upcoming movie. Although his early acting work involved guesting in 2000s television shows, Zac Efron rose to international prominence as East High’s resident jock Troy Bolton in the High School Musical trilogy. Since then, he has grown up in the public eye, becoming one of the most bankable actors in Hollywood and earning projects left and right. He starred in comedies such as Neighbors, That Awkward Moment, and Dirty Grandpa, and musicals like Hairspray and The Greatest Showman. Currently, as he gears up for a new leading role, he also debuts his jaw-dropping physique.
Recently, the Daily Mail released photos of the 17 Again actor emerging from his trailer on the set of an upcoming movie. While working for The Iron Claw, Zac Efron revealed his drastic transformation. There, he displayed his completely overhauled looks, which were part of his emulating the features of real-life retired professional wrestler Kevin von Erich. This, however, was not the first time Efron altered his look to better suit his roles. In fact, he had to shed 13 pounds for his portrayal of serial killer Ted Bundy in the Netflix biographical film Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, while he had to undergo an intense training regimen and diet to achieve his Baywatch body.
How Zac Efron's Transformation Compares To The Real Kevin Von Erich
Zac Efron’s transformation highlights the key attributes of Kevin Von Erich’s body at the peak of his career in the 1970s and 80s. To convincingly play the renowned wrestler, he has to be jacked-up; the result is a beefed-up torso, tanned skin, and a retro bowl-cut wig. While there is a resemblance to the actual athlete, this still might have posed a challenge given their difference in height. Efron, who is 5 ft 8 in tall, is set to depict Von Erich, a former WCWA World Heavyweight Champion, standing at 6 ft 3 in and weighing 222 lbs. Regardless, the Emmy Award-winning actor took the risk of changing his appearance once more for The Iron Claw, albeit with a different, healthier approach.
What We Know About Iron Claw
The biographical drama The Iron Claw centers on the Von Erichs, a prominent wrestling family whose accomplishments originated with their patriarch Fritz Von Erich in the 1960s. Directed by Sean Durkin, the upcoming A24 film narrates the “rise and fall” of the sports dynasty, tackling their troubled history and remarkable legacy up to the present day. As seen in The Greatest Beer Run Ever, Zac Efron leads the star-studded cast of The Iron Claw, which includes Pam & Tommy’s Lily James, The Bear’s Jeremy Allen White, and Mindhunter’s Holt McCallany.
The movie title is a direct reference to the signature move made popular by Fritz, which was also used by all of his wrestler children. Unfortunately, tragedy befell the Von Erichs as the second-generation sons, save for Kevin, predeceased their father. The firstborn Jack Jr. drowned in a puddle at six years old, while David suffered from enteritis, and Fritz’s remaining three younger sons all died by suicide. As of writing, it is still unknown how much of these will be covered in The Iron Claw, but if Zac Efron’s transformation is any indication, the film is leaning towards depicting events realistically.