Zac Efron has transformed into a true muscular hunk for his new film, The Iron Claw.
The High School Musical actor, 35, looks as though he’s put some hours in at the gym for his new role in entertainment company A24’s new sports biopic.
Based on a true story, the drama sees Zac in shots reminiscent of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine pose – and let’s face it, he’s absolutely stacked.
The actor plays one of three brothers alongside The Bear’s heartthrob Jeremy Allen White, 32, and real life wrestler Maxwell Jacob Friedman.
The Iron Claw is based on the real thick-as-thieves Von Erich brothers, who found fame for their historic professional wrestling achievements in the early 1980s.
In the trailer, both Jeremy and Zac can be seen flexing their muscles in the ring, as the 17 Again actor opens the action bouncing off the walls (literally).
A moody voiceover plays over the top of the dimly lit scene, as it says: ‘Ever since I was a child, people said my family was cursed.
‘Mum tried to protect us with god, pop’ tried to protect us with wrestling. He said if we were the toughest, strongest, nothing would ever hurt us. And I believed it. We all did.’
We are then greeted by a characteristically tortured Jeremy (watch Disney+ chef series The Bear if you need any context here) who plays Zac’s younger brother Kerry Von Erich.
‘What do you like to do with your brothers?’ asks Lily James as Pam Adkisson; a character who marries Zac’s character Kevin Von Erich.
What unfolds looks to be a lively – and in places gritty – drama of a raucous gang of brothers and their lives in the ring, under the pressurised gaze of their father, Fritz Von Erich, played by Holt McCallany.
The sports drama also stars Maura Tierney and Harris Dickinson.
Without spoiling it for you, there’s also a funeral, by the looks of it – and Zac is in the front row looking pretty teary.
Jeremy previously told GQ that he planned on putting on 40 pounds of muscle for the role.
His previous roles include Philip Gallagher in 11 seasons of Shameless, and as dishevelled chef Carmy Berzato in FX’s hit The Bear.
This physically challenging role follows Zac’s portrayal of serial killer Ted Bundy in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile.
The film is probably going to be more than just a fun romp into the wrestling world, as writer-director Sean Durkin is best known for psychologically tense films such as The Nest and Martha Marcy May Marlene.
One thing’s for sure though – it can’t be as heavy as Zac and Jeremy’s combined muscle weight. Eesh.
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