Kevin Von Erich has seen The Iron Claw, and he opened up about his thoughts on the film as well as Zac Efron’s portrayal of him.
The Von Erichs are one of the most famous families in wrestling history, but their story is fraught with tragedy. Following the sudden passing of David Von Erich at the young age of 25, his brothers Mike, Kerry, and Chris all ended up taking their own lives. Family patriarch and World Class Championship Wrestling promoter Fritz Von Erich passed away from brain and lung cancer at the age of 68. Of the brothers, only Kevin survives.
The Iron Claw stars Zac Efron as Kevin Von Erich, but also features Jeremy Allen White who is currently finding huge success in the FX series The Bear. It also features Holt McCallany as Fritz Von Erich, Harris Dickinson as David Von Erich, and Aaron Dean Eisenberg as The Nature Boy Ric Flair.
After seeing a screening of the film, Kevin Von Erich spoke with Fox 4 Dallas-Fort Worth about the experience, admitting that he was hesitant when he first heard about the film being made.
“Well, I can’t believe they did it. I really thought that it was impossible, because Fritz, you remember my dad, who could play that character?”
However, Von Erich said that he became hopeful when he heard that his niece Hollie, who is the daughter of Kerry Von Erich, had a positive interaction with Holt McCallany, who plays Fritz Von Erich in the film.
“And, but I heard that when Holly went on the set, she met Holtz, the guy who plays Fritz, and when she saw him, she got a tear in her eye. Holly loved my father so much, and got a tear in her eye. And when he saw it, he got a tear in his eye. And I thought, these people are devoted, it’s gonna be a great movie.
“And I worried because, what are they gonna make this movie about? You know, I didn’t know anything. But so I call the director and asked him, ‘What’s going on?’ And he said, ‘Everything I’m putting in there was something I’ve heard you say or read that you’ve said, so that could be anything I was on the earth. 39 years, at least, you know? Now is that a lot of crazy stuff.
“But, but anyway, I trust him. He’s a good man. And he’s, it’s a labor of love for him. So I do trust him like that.”
After seeing the movie, Von Erich explained what he wants people to take from the film.
“So I have seen the movie now. And I hope people take from that we really loved each other. I love my father, and things were just hard, but life is hard. You got to get tough; life is worth it.”
“He Deserves An Academy Award” – Kevin Von Erich On Zac Efron
Kevin Von Erich was also full of praise for Zac Efron’s portrayal of him in The Iron Claw, and went so far as to say he’d vote for Efron to get an Academy Award for his performance.
“He did a great job. He really did. He should get the Academy Award as far as, he’s got my vote.”
The Iron Claw is set to premiere in theaters on December 22nd.
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