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Despite (still) being just 36 years old, Zac Efron was not only the star of A24’s upcoming wrestling drama The Iron Claw but was also the elder statesman of the cast — at least as far as the four main brothers are concerned.
The Iron Claw also stars The Bear breakout Jeremy Allen White (32), Harris Dickinson (27), and Stanley Simons — I actually cannot find his age anywhere online but he looks to be in his mid-20s — thus making Efron not just the oldest brother in the film, but amongst the actors playing them, as well.
That brotherly nature led Efron to be the motivational one of the group, often sending texts to pump up his co-stars after long days of shooting.
Speaking to BroBible’s Post Credit Podcast, Efron and the rest of The Iron Claw cast discussed how Efron would send long, inspiring text after a day’s shoot because he was “fired up” about what they were making.
Efron’s enthusiasm was ultimately justified, as The Iron Claw is one of the best movies I’ve seen in 2023.
“I just wanted to make sure, the whole time I was like, ‘Are you guys feeling what I’m feeling right now? Cause I’m fired up!” Efron explained.
“That was electric. As much as it’s a film and we have rehearsal and stuff like that, there’s nothing to it but to do it. All these guys went out there every day, with limited rehearsal and a lot on the line and just committed to the moves and wore it every day. And it hurt, man, we were sore. I was just so proud of everybody in this movie. I mean… it’s an achievement. I’m just stoked for all of you guys,” he continued.
Allen White then turned and patted Efron on the shoulder, saying “See, it’s still going on, man.”
In addition to Efron, White, Dickinson, and Simons, The Iron Claw also stars Holt McCallany and Maura Tierney, and will be released in movie theaters on Friday, December 22.
Despite the fact that this year’s race for Best Actor at the Academy Awards is shaping up to be a crowded one, Efron’s performance has received such rave reviews that some movie fans and critics (myself included) believe he should be nominated.