Zac Efron’s new sports drama based on shocking true story gets first look

Stephen Porzio

The movie is all about the Von Erich family of wrestlers.

The first trailer has hit the web for The Iron Claw, a new sports drama with an ensemble cast led by Zac Efron.

Written and directed by Sean Durkin (Martha Marcy May Marlene, The Nest), the movie is based on the life of professional wrestler Kevin Von Erich (Efron) and the Von Erich family, who suffered a string of tragedies – leading some to dub them cursed.

The plot synopsis for The Iron Claw from its producer A24 reads:

“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 (Holt McCallany, Mindhunter), the brothers seek larger-than-life immortality on the biggest stage in sports.”

Co-starring alongside Efron and McCallany in the movie is Harris Dickinson (Triangle of Sadness), Jeremy Allen White (The Bear), Lily James (Pam & Tommy) and Maura Tierney (The Affair).

The Iron Claw does not have an Irish release date yet but will be out in the States on 22 December.

You can check out the film’s trailer right here:

The Iron Claw trailer

For the rest of the big trailers released in the past week in the world of film and TV, scroll below.

The Color Purple

Starting with movies, this new musical is based on the 1982 novel of the same name, which was previously made into a non-musical by legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg.

Detailing the life-long struggles of an African American woman (Fantasia Barrino) living in the south during the early 1900s, The Color Purple will arrive in Irish cinemas on 26 January.

Fallen Leaves

One of the big winners at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, this Finnish comedy-drama tells the story of two lonely souls who meet in Helsinki but then face numerous obstacles.

Fallen Leaves will be out in Irish cinemas on 1 November.

So This is Christmas

This Irish documentary focuses on five ordinary characters as they navigate personal dilemmas triggered by the overwhelming time of year that is Christmas.

The documentary will premiere at the Cork International Film Festival on 10 November, before going on general cinema release on 17 November.

Wonka

Timothée Chalamet stars in this Charlie and the Chocolate Factory prequel which details Willy Wonka’s rise as a chocolatier.

From Paul King, the director of Paddington and its sequel, Wonka arrives in Irish theatres on 8 December.

Bodies

Moving onto TV, Shira Haas (Unorthodox) and Stephen Graham (Boiling Point) are among the cast of this Netflix show out on 19 October about four detectives living in four different eras investigating the same murder.

Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story

This three-part documentary on the Wagatha Christie trial comes to Disney+ on 18 October.

The Curse

Created by Benny Safdie (Uncut Gems) and Nathan Fielder (The Rehearsal), this new comedy explores how an alleged curse disturbs the relationship of a newly married couple (Fielder and Emma Stone) as they star on a problematic TV show titled Flipanthropy.

The Curse will be out in Ireland on Paramount+ on 11 November.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves

This Western about Bass Reeves (David Oyelowo, Silo), one of the first Black deputy US marshals west of the Mississippi River, comes to Ireland on Paramount+ on 5 November.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters

Kurt Russell and Wyatt Russell (both playing the same character) are among the cast of this Apple TV+ series set in the MonsterVerse franchise (the one with Godzilla and King Kong).

It will premiere on 17 November.