For Zac Efronstarring wrestling legend Kevin Von Erich The Iron Claw meant telling a true and moving story about a family of brothers with a dream.
The 36-year-old actor walked the carpet at the DGA Theater on Monday for the Los Angeles premiere of his new drama, and he spoke with ET’s Cassie DiLaura about how his relationship with his own younger brother, 31-year-old Dylan Efronhelped inspire and inform his performance.
“I can’t say it didn’t play a role,” Efron said. “At its core, this movie is about brothers, and you know, I’m a big brother myself. I love him to death. But there’s a certain kind of relationship: it’s just the bond between brothers.”
“So of course I thought about him a lot over the course of this movie,” Efron added. “And I know that connection in the film is something that Kevin Von Erich really appreciated, so it makes me proud.”
The Iron Claw follows the Von Erich family, led by patriarch and coach Fritz Von Erich (played by Mindhunter star Holt McCallany) and his sons – Kevin (Efron), David (Harris Dickinson), Kerry (Jeremy Allen White) and Mike (Stanley Simons).
The Von Erich brothers spent most of their careers in World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), where they won multiple individual and tag team titles. The family was a pro wrestling dynasty in the 1980s, experiencing both triumph and tragedy both inside and outside the ring.
During their press tour together, while promoting the project, Efron grew close to his on-screen brothersand hopes to keep that connection strong and revisit their chemistry in the future.
“I feel like this is just the beginning of working with these guys,” Efron said. “I want to work with all those actors again… I’ve never had so much fun with anything. It’s really special and I hope I get the chance to work with everyone here again.”
Meanwhile, Monday’s premiere took place just hours later Efron was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Famewhere he was joined at the star ceremony by several close friends and his entire family.
“I tell you what, I never dreamed I would have a day like this,” Efron told ET. “It’s pretty incredible. It’s very special. My whole family was here today and looked around, and saw so many old friends and colleagues that I’ve worked with over the years, and [hearing] I’ve had some pretty great speeches, man, it made me a little emotional.”
“I don’t know what I expected, but it exceeded my wildest dreams,” he added with a smile.
For more on Efron’s star ceremony, watch the video below.
The Iron Claw hits theaters on December 22.
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