Adapting the incredible and devastating true story of the Von Erichs has been a major mission for writer-director Sean Durkin (The Nest). Since he was a child, Durkin has been gripped by the Denton County wrestling family, who took the professional sport by storm in the 1980s until a series of tragedies.
“I wanted to go to Denton to see what the land was [like], where the guys grew up, and to get a feel [for it all],” Durkin said about visiting North Texas before film production.
Durkin’s adaptation, The Iron Claw, centers on the wrestling dynasty led by Fritz Von Erich (Holt McCallany). They shot to fame with the success and swagger of Fritz’s five sons — Kevin (Zac Efron), Kerry (Jeremy Allen White), David (Harris Dickinson), Mike (Stanley Simons), and Chris (not in the film). Each of the brothers followed in their father’s footsteps, leading to superhero greatness and unfathomable tragedy.
Ahead of the film’s opening this weekend on Dec. 22, Fresh Fiction spoke with Durkin. In the video below, we discuss chronicling the Von Erichs’ story for the big screen, Durkin’s time in Denton, and Efron standing awkwardly in his wrestling undies between takes.
